Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 107:427 (Jul 1950)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

BSac 107:427 (Jul 50) p. 376

Book Reviews

Journey into Faith. By Eleanor Ruggles. W. W. Norton & Co., New York. 336 pp. $4.00.

The long, intense struggle of John Henry Newman before he turned from the Anglican Church to the Roman Catholic has been told by many. Few probably have entered into the struggle with Newman as has the author of this exceptional book. Although she writes objectively with hardly a trace of bias, nevertheless the subjective element is there, and one both rejoices and suffers with Newman during those days when torn by indecision he faced his supreme decision. Our author makes us aware at all times of Newman’s steady trend towards the Roman Catholic Church, yet one is allowed as well to see his initial revolt against its teachings and errors.

This work will win a tolerant and sympathetic attitude for Newman from the reader. Yet, to the Bible-believing Christian, Newman’s tragic decision will show the utter folly of trying to solve spiritual problems without the aid of the Word of God as interpreted by the Spirit of God.

The author makes it plain that Newman’s decision was predicated solely upon the logical and rational assumption that, if there is only one holy catholic church and communion of saints, then the Roman Catholic Church is that church because of historical precedence. Once he was convinced of this, there was no other step he could take except to unite himself with that church. At no time did the teachings of the Word of God influence his decision. This work is well worth reading, therefore, as revelation of a notable modern.

Librarian James F. Rand

The Temple of the Spirit. By Francis Meehan. E. P. Dutton, New York. 183 pp. $2.50.

Following forty years of teaching, our author has turned to writing, especially in the field of philosophy. In handling the things of the spirit in this well-written volume, he is not speaking of things Biblical. Rather, he engagingly discusses the spiritual life on a philosophical basis. A quotation from

BSac 107:427 (Jul 50) p. 377

his foreword will suffice both to define what he means by the spiritual life and also to indicate the scope and tenor of the book. “I have used the term spiritual in its widest meaning; it includes all non-material values. I am far from maintaining that all spiritual values are of equal importance. But it is obvious that religion, literature, the arts and philosophy, because of their non-material nature, content and scope, have certain elements in common.”

This volume will have little value for the Christian. Unfortunately, non-Christians often substitute the teachings of this type of literature for the real spiritual life which i...