Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 137:546 (Apr 1980)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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BSac 137:546 (Apr 80) p. 176

Book Reviews

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament. By Norman L. Geisler. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1977. 299 pp. Paper, $6.95.

This is not simply another volume on Bible survey. Written by a professor of systematic theology and apologetics at Dallas Seminary, this book shows how Christ is at the center of the Old Testament. It provides answers to questions about the inspiration and canonization of the Old Testament, discusses its structure, and then surveys each book. Questions are raised—Who wrote the book? When? To whom? Why?—and definitive answers are given. The historical, doctrinal, and Christological purposes are discussed in each case. Several of the major problems in each book are also examined. Charts, maps, and photos enhance the usefulness of this volume.

Suitable as an introductory text for the classroom, this book should also find wide use by Bible study groups and individuals who find the Old Testament difficult to understand. Consistently literal in his interpretations, Geisler has provided an excellent tool for the beginning Bible student.

D. K. Campbell

An Evaluation of Claims to Charismatic Gifts. By Douglas Judisch. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978. 96 pp. Paper, $3.95.

This is another attempt to discount the claims to charismatic gifts that characterize the Pentecostal movement. The author is assistant professor of biblical studies and Old Testament exegesis at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At the beginning, Judisch severely limits the area of discussion to what is clearly taught in the Bible, thereby eliminating all references to experience. He groups some of the gifts of the Spirit under the term “prophetic gifts,” including “the

Book Reviews

knowledge of divine truth by direct revelation and the powers to discern spirits, heal by command, perform other miracles, speak in a tongue unlearned by the speaker, and interpret a tongue unlearned by the interpreter” (p. 13). In general, his close reasoning leads to the conclusion that because no utterance since postapostolic times can receive the approval of an apostle, any claim to prophetic gifts (as he defines them) is impossible today.

Many evangelicals will agree that experience should not be made the basis of doctrine and will also agree that the gifts mentioned are not active today. Whether his close reasoning is entirely valid would undoubtedly have a varied response by different readers. The approach, however, is interesting to those who are concerned about proper evaluation of charismatic gifts today.

J. F. Walvoord

Glory in the Cross: A Study in Atonemen...

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