Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 01:1 (Spring 1960)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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GJ 1:1 (Spr 60) p. 37

Book Reviews

Biblical Theology of the New Testament. By Charles Caldwell Ryrie. Moody Press, 1959. 384pp., $5.00.

This attractive volume was written by the president of Philadelphia College of Bible. Before assuming this position in 1958, Dr. Ryrie taught at Westmont College and at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Basis of Premillennial Faith (Loizeaux Brothers), and other significant books and articles.

The introduction to this volume defines Biblical Theology in its relation to the other phases of Biblical study: apologetics, introduction, exegesis, history of doctrine, and systematic theology. It refines its distinctive contribution as its systematizing of “the truth as it was progressively revealed through the various writers of the New Testament” (p. 19). Thus Biblical Theology by its methodology is prepared to pay close attention to the fact that certain Biblical writers presented certain doctrinal points within the historical circumstances of their particular writing. This in no sense minimizes the Spirit’s inspiration, but it does take into account that revelation was embodied in historical settings. Consequently, Systematic Theology is actually the analysis and systematizing of the results of Biblical Theology.

The book devotes its seven parts to the Theology of the Synoptics, Acts, James, Paul, Hebrews, Peter and Jude, and John. Inasmuch as the average minister has been trained primarily in the area of Systematic Theology (which is as it should be in the time-restricted curricula of seminaries), and most laymen are dependent upon such leaders for their Biblical instruction, the approach found in this book should be intensely interesting to all serious Bible students. The author’s clear style of presentation makes it possible for any Christian with a love for the Word to increase greatly,his understanding of New Testament teaching, if he follows the system of reading with his Bible in hand as recommended by the author.

The excellencies of this book are many. The standpoint of the writer is thoroughly conservative, premillennial, and dispensational. Within each chapter, the author selects the prominent themes and organizes the material attractively. Throughout the book appear helpful discussions of such matters as the Sermon on the Mount, tongues, and a survey of Paul and his personal background.

As an example of the writer’s method, the section on Synoptic Theology contains a chapter on “Introductory Matters,” followed by chapters on the “Christology of the Synoptics” and the “Eschatology of the Synoptics.” The Christology chapter discusses the Gospel material on the Presentation of the King (genealogy, birth, boyhood, baptism, temptation), Authentication of the King...

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