Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 11:1 (Winter 1970)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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GJ 11:1 (Wtr 70) p. 41

Book Reviews

Understanding Revelation. By Gary G. Cohen. Christian Beacon Press, Collingswood, N.J., 1968. 186pp. $1.00, paper.

This is not a commentary on Revelation but rather a comprehensive study of the chronology of its contents. It is the essence of the author’s Th.D. dissertation at Grace Theological Seminary. Dr. Cohen is professor of New Testament at Faith Theological Seminary.

The author introduces his study with a brief consideration of six different approaches to the interpretation of Revelation and accepts the futuristic approach, holding that Revelation 4–19 will be fulfilled in the yet future seven year period of tribulation. He accepts a pre-tribulational rapture. The letters to the seven churches are accepted as historical and representative, and then the further tentative conclusion is reached that these seven churches are also prophetic of seven periods of church history.

He holds that chronologically chapters 4–5 stand at the opening of the seven year tribulation period. He finds that the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls form a chronological framework for the book, each series itself as well as the three series in relation to each other are chronologically successive. But the insets inserted into this chronological framework are not necessarily strictly chronological but inserted at the proper time to give a fuller picture of the period. Chapter 20 covers the millennium and chapters 21–22 relate to the eternal state. Several chronological charts help to visualize the author’s position.

The author generally makes a good case for his position. It is recommended as a clear, reasoned presentation of the position espoused.

D. Edmond Hiebert
Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary

Tinder in Tabasco. By Charles Bennett. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1968. 213 pp. $2.95, paper.

Tinder in Tabasco is the most recent addition to the list of books on Church growth, but it is much more than a mere study on growth. It is

GJ 11:1 (Wtr 70) p. 42

a rather complete history of missionary work in that southern part of Mexico just next to the Yucatan Peninsula and Guatemala.

Out of a desire to avoid superficiality, the author has presented details of Tabasco’s secular history, during the modern missionary period, which have had a direct influence on the ecclesiastical situation. He mentions specific political and religious events and personalities.

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