Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 132:527 (Jul 1975)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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BSac 132:527 (Jul 75) p. 270

Book Reviews

Matthew: Thy Kingdom Come. By John F. Walvoord. Chicago: Moody Press, 1974. 259 pp. $5.95.

The final paragraph of Walvoord’s introduction states, “In adding this commentary on the important first gospel to my previous works I hope to make another contribution to the understanding of Scripture, which will be helpful to all students of the Bible.” This volume is indeed an aid to those who desire to trace the thought of the Gospel of Matthew.

As expected, the viewpoint is thoroughly dispensational and premillennial in the tradition of Arno Gaebelein and E. Schuyler English. Walvoord sees a distinction between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God, the kingdom of God being comprised only of genuine believers and the kingdom of heaven containing those who profess faith as well as saved ones.

A classic question on any work in Matthew involves the commentator’s view of the Sermon on the Mount. Walvoord’s position is succinctly stated in his own words: “After His temptation, Jesus presented the principles of His coming kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount (chaps. 5–7), emphasizing spiritual and moral principles that govern the kingdom of God, but especially as these applied to the prophesied kingdom on earth, which the Messiah-King was to bring when He came” (p. 95). The Sermon on the Mount contains principles which apply in any age but find their fulfillment in the millennial kingdom, according to this position.

In his treatment of Matthew’s argument Walvoord sees the kingdom being offered to Israel, rejected, and in a mystery form today. The kingdom will ultimately come in an earthly form in the millennium.

The book is written in a very simple style although obvious scholarship is behind it. The bibliography is limited, but the author displays acquaintance with a wide breadth of material.

Here is a succinctly written commentary that will provide much insight into a crucial book of the Scriptures.

S. D. Toussaint

BSac 132:527 (Jul 75) p. 271

A Theology of the New Testament. By George Eldon Ladd. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974. 661 pp. $12.50.

Biblical theology, a somewhat lost discipline in recent years, is enjoying a resurgence. Hasel’s Survey of Issues in Old Testament Theology, Lehman’s two-volume work on biblical theology, and now the book by the well-known professor at Fuller Theological Seminary are welcomed evidences of this revival in evangelicalism. Regrettably, even theological students are sometimes unaware of the discipline, its methodology, and practical benefit...

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