Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 116:464 (Oct 1959)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

---

BSac 116:464 (Oct 59) p. 357

Book Reviews

A New Heaven And A New Earth. By Archibald Hughes. The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, Philadelphia, 1958. 233 pp. $3.75.

This introductory study of the second advent presents the conservative amillennial interpretation of eschatology. The author, who is an Australian, a Plymouth Brethren, and a lecturer at Wesleyan Bible College in Melbourne, traces the blessed hope as understood by amillenarians through the Scriptures. He deals at some length with such subjects as the binding of Satan and the millennial doctrine as contained in Revelation, chapter 20, the Messianic hope in the promises to Abraham and to David, the nature of the New Testament church, the new covenant of Jeremiah in its fulfillment, and the eternal inheritance of the saints. The concluding portion of the book deals with pivotal questions such as the teaching that the seventieth week of Daniel is future, pretribulationism, and belief in a future millennium. The principal omission is his silence on major passages of Old Testament prophecy such as are found in Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Though the volume is readable and well outlined, it is for the most part little more than a restatement of the essential points of the amillennial interpretation of the Bible considered from the conservative viewpoint which accepts the Bible as the Word of God. The author follows in the footsteps of Oswald Allis, Louis Berkhof, Floyd Hamilton, William Hendricksen, Geerhardus Vos, and Edward J. Young.

Though he has stated with some clarity the amillennial point of view, the arguments in support of his position are seriously weakened by a failure to comprehend reasons for premillennialism. His principal source of information concerning premillennial interpretation seems to be the footnotes of the Scofield Reference Bible. The author shows no awareness of important premillennial literature such as Nathaniel West’s The Thousand Years in Both Testaments, or The Theocratic Kingdom by George N. H. Peters. He does not cite a single premillennial theology such as the work of Henry C. Thiessen, the eight-volume set of Lewis Sperry Chafer, or the standard theology by Van Oosterzee. He shows only a passing acquaintance with William Kelly, A. C. Gaebelein, and H. A. Ironside. It is evident from his volume that his study of the millennial question has been one-sided. His attitude is somewhat indicated in his bibliography of recommended books which does not contain a single premillennial volume. The author does not face many important considerations

BSac 116:464 (Oct 59) p. 358

supporting the premillennial point of view and this seriously limits the value of his contribution to the millen...

visitor : : uid: ()