Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 122:486 (Apr 1965)
Article: Book Notices
Author: Anonymous

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BSac 122:486 (Apr 65) p. 188

Book Notices

Hellbent For Election. By P. Speshock. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1964. 183 pp. $2.95.

Shades of John Bunyan and C. S. Lewis! This book is a Christian allegory in the tradition of Pilgrim’s Progress and The Screwtape Letters. But where Bunyan’s Christian was seeking to reach the Celestial City, Speshock’s Hellbent has arrived in glory and is demanding his rights to go to hell. And where Lewis’ Screwtape is advising his demonic nephew on how to neutralize the Christian life and witness of the believer to whom he is assigned, Speshock’s Alexis is a ministering spirit helping Hellbent understand why he must accept his election to heaven.

The Victorian background of this reviewer still reacts in shocked sensitivity to the mild profanity in the double-meaning title. The author probes the foibles of modern church life, but more than forty years in churches and around Christians brings the conclusion that the caricatures are overdrawn.

BSac 122:486 (Apr 65) p. 189

The writing is excellent, but Bunyan is still the classic.

J. A. Witmer

The Four Major Cults. By Anthony Hoekema. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1963. 447 pp. $5.95.

Any pastor, faithful in his care for God’s sheep, senses the danger from wolves that seek to devour his flock. To increase his anxiety, the enemies usually dress themselves in sheepskin so that the sheep may not even realize that wolves lurk nearby.

This thorough study by Anthony Hoekema, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Calvin Seminary, is the best full-scaled unmasking in a single volume of Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventism, and Christian Science. After giving the history of each of the cults, the author examines its source of authority and describes in theological detail its doctrines.

In addition, with a style as clear as a plate glass window, the author includes two valuable chapters on lessons to be learned from the cults and methods for winning the cultist. Hoekema shows great familiarity with primary sources, and pastors and teachers may use the book with confidence, knowing that the information came straight from the mouth of the wolves.

H. W. Robinson

The Holy Spirit In The New Testament. By Henry Barclay Swete. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1964. 417 pp. $6.95.

This reprint of a classic volume on the Holy Spirit, appearing originally in 1909, will be welcomed by all students of the doctrine of the Spirit. A brief but valuable introduction is included by Roger Nicole itemizing...

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