Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 15:44 (Apr 2011)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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JODT 15:44 (April 2011) p. 93

Book Reviews

Growing a Wise Family, 100 Devotionals from the Book of Proverbs by Bryan R. Coupland. Debary, FL: Spring Glen Publishing, 2011. 261pp., paper, $15.99.

Southern View Chapel (Springfield, IL) has recently been involved in a special emphasis upon the family. As the church leadership sought ways of helping and encouraging the parents within the congregation to raise their children for Christ, they were in search of some material to use for family instruction, yet did not want to use a catechism but struggled to discover other appropriate aids. As a consequence of that experience, Coupland’s book found its way into the pastor’s study and the search ended. The title is developed around 100 proverbs, each to be used in family instruction. Each proverb is explained and well illustrated by the author. At the end of each study, three well-chosen and age-appropriate discussion questions are provided. The author then offered suggested answers to each question. Coupland’s writing is interesting, biblical, and creative. His book was easy to use and of real value. He wrote the book with ten- to thirteen-year-olds in mind, but the material can be easily adapted to younger or older children. For those looking for an aid to help teach their children the Word of God and engage them in things of the Lord, Growing a Wise Family would be an excellent choice.

Gary E. Gilley, senior pastor, Southern View Chapel

Slave by John MacArthur. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2010. 240 pp., cloth, $22.99.

For various reasons, English translations of the Bible (from the King James Version and the Geneva Bible that predated it), have mistranslated the Greek word doulos. Doulos means slave, yet virtually all English translations substitute “servant” even though there are at least six Greek words for servant and doulos is not one of them (pp. 15-16). The result of this mistranslation is a misunderstanding of the Christian’s status before the Lord. Servants are hired, can quit, have certain rights, and can refuse to obey. Slaves are owned, have no rights, and quit or disobey only at their own peril.

MacArthur has done the church a great favor by reintroducing this truth to the people of God. If one does not know their spiritual identity, he/she will inevitably be confused in their Christian walk. Unfortunately, most believers have a misconception of what slavery meant when the New

JODT 15:44 (April 2011) p. 94

Testament writers used the term. Thoughts are immediately reminiscent with regard to the slave trade of the British Empire and the American Colonial era, which had practically nothing to do with ancient slavery (pp. ...

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