BOOK NOTES

 

Christian Doctrine: The Faith Once Delivered, edited by William J. Richardson of Emmanuel School of Religion and published by Christian Standard, contains 18 chapters, two of which are by Leroy Garrett, one on the nature of faith and the other on the nature of the apostolic message. Other writers are Robert O. Fife, Fred P. Thompson, Jr., and Knofel Staton. You will find all the chapters rich in information. 10.50 postpaid.

The Family and the Fellowship by Ralph P. Martin of Fuller Seminary is a study of the church that will encourage you. It defends the place of the church, despite its imperfections, as within God’s purpose, and does this through various New Testament images of the church. You will find the chapter on “Charismatic Gifts: Who Needs Them?” informative, and the chapter on whether the church will ever be one provocative. Anything Martin writes is worth one’s time and this little volume is no exception, being crisp and informative. 5:50 postpaid.

The Lausanne Covenant, 1974, included an affirmation of concerned believers that in view of world-wide poverty they would covenant themselves to a simple lifestyle, even though they live in affluent circumstances, in order to contribute generously to both relief and evangelism. In response to this Ronald J. Sider has edited Living More Simply, in which 23 individuals and families tell us how to live more simply. The 39 suggestions by the Mennonite Central Committee, such as “Buy small cars” and “Stop shopping for recreation,” may be the most practical. 5.50 postpaid.

All lovers of William Barclay will want a copy of his authorized biography by Clive Rawlins. A hardbound volume of nearly 800 pages, it has to sell for 29.95 postpaid, but it is a veritable storehouse of information, not only about Barclay, but about the stormy times in which he lived. The chapter on “The Crucible of Suffering” tells the grim story of his daughter and her finance being lost at sea and the devastating effect it had on the Barclays. While Barclay submerged his grief in work, his wife was inconsolable to the point of threatening the stability of their home. Barclay was driven to the extreme of having to insist that his daughter’s name never be mentioned again. The biographer shows how this sensitive man, always “a man of the people.” became the most widely read Bible expositor in modern times.

The Stone-Campbell Movement by Leroy Garrett recently received acclaim in The Australian Christian, published by Christian Churches in that country. The editor encouraged his readers to read this history if they want to understand what happened to that Movement that intended to unite the Christians in all the sects. If you want a copy, we will send you one for 21.95, and we pay the postage if you pay in advance. Or you can get up a club of eight new subs or renewals at 3.00 per name per year (24.00 total) and we will send you a copy of the book free of charge.