Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 12:2 (Spring 1971)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

---

GJ 12:2 (Spr 71) p. 46

Book Reviews

Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. By John M’Clintock and James Strong. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, 1968 (reprint). 904 pp. (Vol. 1). Subscription price, $12.95 per volume.

With so many new dictionaries and reference works coming off the press, it is encouraging to see an old giant reprinted. M’Clintock and Strong was one of this reviewer’s first sources in the study of church history. Biblical scholars who are engaged in thorough research often must consider something of the history of their subject. This encyclopedia serves that type of need admirably. The biographical material given on the heroes of the faith, particularly on nineteenth century scholars, is alone worth the obtaining of these volumes. Beyond this, the sheer immensity of material—more than 31,000 articles covering 12,400 double column pages—is invaluable. Certainly the seminary professor or student, as well as the pastor with a passion for depth in his preaching, should find these volumes an indispensable legacy from the past.

James R. Battenfield
Grace Theological Seminary

With Bands of Love. By David Allan Hubbard. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, 1968. $1.95. 114 pp. (paperback).

The goal of Dr. Hubbard is to show how Hosea spoke to his own people, anticipated a fuller revelation of God in the New Testament and gave a message for contemporary life and thought. This is not a commentary on the book of Hosea, but theological observations prompted by the prophet’s preaching. The author sees Hosea’s marriage and message as the two main themes interwoven with God’s judgment and grace.

Hosea spoke within the cultural, political, social and religious context of his time. It was the twilight of Israel’s finest day. The prophet interpreted the meaning of the covenant for his own time (750–725 B.C.). Hubbard suggests four possible occupations for Hosea and cautiously

GJ 12:2 (Spr 71) p. 47

accepts the fourth: priest, professional prophet, baker or farmer. God chose this uncommon person to have an uncommon experience paralleled only in Jeremiah. The marriage of Hosea did not constitute the prophetic call, but certainly enhanced this call. Hosea’s suffering marriage was a personal cross and became a help in understanding the cross of Christ. According to Dr. Hubbard, Hosea’s cross in marriage pictured God’s redemptive work through innocent suffering. The most righteous Man in history became history’s greatest sufferer.

Dr. Hubbard brings out interesting facts on the names of Hosea’s children, the Assyrian policy of homogenizing peoples and Masochism (weeping ceremoni...

visitor : : uid: ()