Book Reviews -- By: Anonymous

Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 06:19 (Dec 2002)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous


Book Reviews

St. Paul: the Traveler and Roman Citizen by William M. Ramsay, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2001, 315 pp., cloth, $22.99

This century-old classic has been updated and revised by Mark Wilson. It now has many maps and charts, and 100 color photographs. Wilson added material Ramsay later published, dealing with Paul’s conversion and the years before his missionary journeys. The book has 2 indices (Scripture and subject), and interesting sidebars by Wilson. The colorful maps, charts, and photos beautifully enhance this work.

Charles H. Ray,
Associate Editor

Exploring the Gospel of John by John Phillips, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2001, 425 pp., cloth, $25.99

Phillips did a wonderful job producing a classic evangelical commentary on the Gospel of John. The layout for the entire book is based on his personal outline of the Gospel. The full twenty-three-page outline is located in the back of the book immediately after the close of his last comments. This particular volume has no other indices, appendixes, etc. Because it is written in outline format instead of verse-by-verse, it may take a few seconds longer to find his comments on a specific verse. The level of writing is informed but not very academic. The writer makes reference to Greek periodically when the definition of a word helps to bring out the meaning of the text. There is not much reference to the Greek grammar of the Gospel at all. So if you are looking for a commentary that digs into the language of the original text, this is not the right one. However, if you are seeking a general introductory commentary, this would be an excellent choice.

John’s teaching on the deity of Christ is proclaimed aloud throughout Phillips’ interaction with the Gospel writer’s text. His exposition of John 1:1 is very orthodox, though no mention is made of the various attempts of many to interpret this verse as teaching that Christ was ‘a’ god. The various ‘I AM’ statements, climaxing in Jesus’ statement in 8:58 to be the timeless I AM of the Old Testament, receive excellent treatment. He also brings out the certainty of Thomas’ confession of Christ’s deity in 20:28.

Other major doctrines upheld in the manuscript are those of salvation by faith alone and eternal security. The repeated statements of the Gospel writer make it hard to not champion salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. Phillips calls the belief that one can lose his salvation “erroneous.” This commentary is ...

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