From Inter-varsity Michaelmas 1941
The sovereignty of God
Edited by Jacob T.
Hoogstra, Ph. D. (Zondervan Publishing House $1.50.)
This volume consists of proceedings of the first American Calvinistic Conference held at
Paterson, New Jersey, from June 27th to the 30th, 1939. The speakers were all American apart from Principal John
Macleod, D.D. of Edinburgh and Professor Aalders of Holland.
We can best give you some
impression of this excellent volume by noting its contents. First,
there were three Foundational Studies, named, respectively, “A
Biblical Theological Study”, “A Dogmatic Study”, “The
sovereignty of God and the Antithesis”. Then came three
“Applicatory Studies” bearing the titles “The sovereignty of
God and Philosophy” and “The sovereignty of God and Ethics”.
Then there are four public addresses which deal with the sovereignty
of God “And American Attributes”, “And God's Sovereign choice
of the Younger Son”, “And human responsibility”, “And the
Word of God”, respectively.
It will be seen at once
that here is truly a feast of fat things. And in each case the
lecturer is worthy of the subject. In a symposium which maintains
such a uniformly high level it is almost invidious to single out any
one for special commendation, but one must refer to Professor
Kromminga's lecture on “the sovereignty of God and the Barthians”.
Here we have Calvinism and Barthianism compared and contrasted with
respect to eleven aspects of the faith. In a concise form it gives
the best exposition of this matter that we have hitherto encountered.
People often ask “Where
does this … teaching differ from the Reformed Faith?”. The answer
is supplied here. Dr. Grant Heyr's lecture on “The sovereignty of
God and Politics” is excellent in its clarity, and Dr. W. Childs
Robinson's lecture on “The sovereignty of God and American
Attributes” maintains that true blend of scholarship and a truly
evangelical passion that characterises all the works of this author.
One feels that he is not as well known as he should be on this side
of the Atlantic, in spite of the fact that he spoke at the
Calvinistic Conference in Edinburgh in 1938 and, again, gave a series
of lectures at the Free Church College.
With regard to the whole
volume, to read it is to experience the health-giving breezes of
these mountain tops. Here we are face to face with the eternal
verities and the central truth itself from all others emanate – the
sovereignty of God. Here is the message which is needed by the world
of today, and also in a very special manner, by the church of today.
It is the old message of the Protestant Reformation, but how up to
date it is!
The book would make an
ideal basis for discussion in a study group during the coming autumn
and winter. It is not a book for an arm-chair.
Dr. M. Ll- J.
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