BOOK NOTES

 

Those of you interested in something in philosophy that is highly readable, non-technical, and reliable should know about A History of Western Philosophy by W. T. Jones. Long used as a college text, it is now available in four separate paperbound volumes. Start with the first one, The Classical Mind, which goes from Homer to the Sceptics, including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics and Epicureans. If you then want the other volumes, we can arrange them for you. 378 pages, and at 3.95 it is a bargain.

Martin Lloyd-Jones is a British physician turned theologian, and he has come out with deeply spiritual material as a writer. His latest is A First Book of Daily Readings, which is a meditation for every day of the year. Drawn from his numerous writings, this collection is intended to provide daily spiritual vitamins for our troubled times. To have it on hand and to read the selection for each day is a way to keep one’s batteries recharged. For example, the reading for June 7 begins with: “Sin entered human life from the outside and it attacked even the Son of God. That I am forgiven is glorious, that I have a new nature is wonderful and still better. But still I am left to face this terrible power that is set over against me, and which strives ever to defeat me.”

Christian Union Bible Study Books is a series covering the entire Bible that should be of interest to our readers. They are only 1.25 each, run about 100 pages each, and are colorfully bound. They are written by out-standing British scholars who do a good job condensing into small books the information one expects to find in larger commentaries. For instance, one covers The Psalms and runs 126 pages, written by H. L. Ellison, tutor at Moorlands Bible College, Devon, England. There is an introduction and then several paragraphs on each Psalm, comments on its background and meaning. Throughout these books there are occasional “Questions for Further Study” and “To Think About,” which are most helpful for class or family study. The best way to order these would be to start with a fistful, say 4 for 5.00, from various parts of the Bible. If you take to them, you can fill in and add more as you desire.

Carl Spain of Abilene Christian College is out with his commentary on what is commonly called “The Pastoral Epistles,” Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. Carl has put in a great deal of work on this project and has tarried long with some of the best sources available. You would do well to have this volume, for Carl writes clearly, cogently, informatively, and responsibly. This is one more of the Sweet’s company Living Word Commentary, all being in matching volumes. 3.50.

For only 3.50 we will send you Murch’s Christians Only, which is not only an important volume of Restoration history but also a helpful source in American church history in general. “The Great Apostasy” goes far in explaining the effect of liberal theology on all American churches. Murch does well in dealing with our Movement within the broader historical situation. This book is most appropriate if you have even moderate interest in the Restoration Movement. It is 392 pages and only 3.50 in softback.

Carl Ketcherside’s bound volumes of Mission Messenger have stuff that is worth reading again and again, the kind of material that one can turn to at random and be rewarded for his time. I did that just now, flipped open a volume and found the article that my eyes fell upon well worth reading again. Several of these are already out of print, but we will send you five different ones for 15.00, and you can pay for them at 5.00 a month, with no carrying charges.

Did you ever read a book that was dedicated to the author’s sweetheart? Such is the volume by our own Stanley Paregien, who ministers to the Mayfair Church of Christ in Oklahoma City. The book, published by Firm Foundation, is The Day Jesus Died, which is hardly an appropriate title since the little volume deals with such sundry topics as God’s war on poverty, the storms of life, speech as an index to character, prejudice, and hope as the forgotten virtue. It has illustrations throughout, and one of them, on the dust jacket, comes from Restoration Review. Since this is our folk, let’s give it a reading. 3.00.

Sam Meyers is one of the editors of The Concerned Christian, which has as one of its concerns the question of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Brother Meyers questions the traditional interpretations of “living in adultery” and even divorce and marriage themselves. But you’ll need to read for yourself, which you can do by sending for a sample copy to 2912 W. Lawrence Lane, Phoenix, Arizona 85021.

Our Prices

For all these years we have kept the price at 1.00 per annum for Restoration Review. Since some send more than this, we are able to continue with this low, low price. But we strongly urge all those who subscribe or renew to do so for two years for 2.00. It reduces the problems of renewing for all of us.

Our club rate of 6 subs for 3.00 still stands. This means you can subscribe or renew for yourself and five others for only 3 bucks. Be sure to include the full addresses, including zip code.

Back issues are now 20 cents each, and we pay the postage. Or 6 copies for 1.00. We still have most of our back issues. They are only 10 cents each if you tell us you plan to distribute them to interested persons.

This issue concludes Volume 12 (1970) of Restoration Review. It will soon be available in a bound volume at only $3.00, under the title The New Humanity. It will have dust jacket, a special introduction, and an index. Please order at once, though you need not pay now. The previous four volumes, beginning with 1966 are also available at $3.00 each, all in matching volumes. Starting in 1971 this journal will be issued in bound volumes every two years, the first double-volume due early in 1973. The theme for the next two years, to be issued as the 1971-72 volume, will be The Restoration Mind.