1941 Review of Sovereignty of God Symposium

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.