Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 95:380 (Oct 1938)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

BSac 95:380 (Oct 38) p. 487

Book Reviews

Exposition of Reformed Doctrine. By M. J. Bosma. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids. 309 pp. $1.50.

Almost without exception works on theology are produced by men who are called upon to serve as teachers of that subject. Notes which are necessary for classroom lectures naturally develop into a published system of doctrine. Mr. Bosma is an exception. Exposition of Reformed Doctrine (along with other valuable writings) is the product of a pastor. It is probable that had he lived to mature years his obvious ability in the field of theology would have been claimed by the seminary of his denomination. He died in 1912 at the age of thirty-eight. The book, which was first published in 1907, has now appeared in its fifth edition. The question and answer method is employed which tends to keep the reader’s mind on the point under discussion. The author’s objective is well stated by him in the preface: “What was sought was a book that treated Reformed Doctrine, especially of a Dutch type, in a form that is simple and easily comprehended, and in a method that is in harmony with the traditional methods in vogue among our Reformed people. As our people Americanize they want the sound teachings of their ancestors in a new language, and it is advisable that the same terms for the expression of religious truths be in use in our American circles as are employed in our Holland circles. Unity, harmony, and sympathy among the various parts of the same Church demand this. And since no work thus far meets these requirements, the author has felt called to attempt to furnish what he and others have so painfully lacked thus far.”

Though written in the English, this book has been translated into the Dutch and has been adopted as a classroom text-book, notably by the Southern Presbyterian Seminary in Japan. Its value as seen by the Journal of the Reformed Church and published in 1913 is stated thus: “A wealth of truth is worked up into beautiful symmetry, so that the book

BSac 95:380 (Oct 38) p. 488

is eminently one for Reformed people. It is up-to-date, for on the one hand good use has been made of the splendid development through which Reformed theology passed in the Netherlands these last forty years, and on the other hand the theory of evolution gets a thorough overhauling in eight pages. If we desire to have our spiritual life rest upon a solid basis, let the mind be stayed upon the truth as a foundation. Whoever is so disposed will do well to own a book like Bosma’s and read it again and again.”

To Bible students generally it should be said that this volume undertakes an elucidation of no more truth than is set forth in the Reformed Church’s creed. It is, therefore, as are so many works o...