Book Reviews -- By: Anonymous

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 120:478 (Apr 1963)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous


Book Reviews

The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Edited by Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison. Moody Press, Chicago, 1962. 1525 pp. $11.95.

Pastors and other Christian workers are often faced with the inquiry, “Which is the best one-volume Bible commentary?” The Wycliffe Bible Commentary has now appeared and must therefore be given serious attention by those who seek an answer to this question.

Attempting to treat the entire text of Scripture on a phrase by phrase basis, this work contains the contributions of conservative scholars from fifteen denominations representing some twenty-five schools of Christian higher education. Graduates of Dallas Seminary wrote on the books of Nahum, Haggai, Zechariah, John, First Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, and First, Second, and Third John .

The many excellent features of this commentary include the fact that, while the treatment is not strictly exegetical, the exposition is nonetheless based on the original languages of the Old and New Testaments. The approach is interpretive throughout, that is, the writers attempt to expound the basic meaning of Scripture, and in this connection most of the textual, chronological, historical, and moral problems are faced and satisfying explanations given. Recent archaeology findings are frequently discussed for the light they throw on the text and readers are furnished with helpful summaries of such matters as authorship, date, purpose, etc. Bibliographies are also appended for each book. No efforts have been spared to provide the Bible student with ample information and helps for the understanding of the Scripture text.

It must be observed, however, that while the work is thoroughly conservative in its theological approach, many readers will be confused by a lack of consistency in the method of interpretation employed, particularly in the Old Testament prophets. Daniel’s prophecies, for example, are expounded quite literally and thus a premillennial eschatology is set forth. On the other hand, Ezekiel’s prophesies are treated for the most part as “prophetic parables” from which the Christian church may draw broad general principles. Divergence of approach and interpretation is also apparent in such books as Micah and Zechariah.

In spite of this problem, this work contains a vast store of Biblical knowledge and will be of great help to the serious and discerning student of the Scripture.

D. K. Campbell

Commission, Conflict, Commitment. Inter-Varsity Press, Chicago, 1962. 302 pp. $5.50; paper, $3.25.

This book consists of a series of messages given at the Sixth Inter...

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