In his first epistle, Peter writes to the saints in Asia Minor from the perspective of their lives as pilgrims. As sojourners in a strange land, they are on a journey through this world toward their eternal home.

How must these pilgrims (and how must we), torn between this world and the next, walk in all the relationships of this life? Peter’s answers this question in his letter which serves as a pilgrim’s manual.

Believers will find A Pilgrim’s Manual to be full of instruction, comfort and hope as they wend their way toward their eternal home.

Epistle to Diognetus (2nd century): “For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity. The course of conduct which they follow has not been devised by any speculation or deliberation of inquisitive men; nor do they, like some, proclaim themselves the advocates of any merely human doctrines. But, inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities, according as the lot of each of them has determined, and following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing, food, and the rest of their ordinary conduct, they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life [or citizenship]. They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers. They marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table, but not a common bed. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified. They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and bless; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honour; they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred.”

REVIEW

by Charles Terpstra

Protestant Reformed Seminary Professor Emeritus, Herman Hanko, has done it again! He has penned another fine exposition of a portion of Holy Scripture, this time on the book of I Peter. As he did with The Mysteries of the Kingdom (on Jesus’ parables) and Justified unto Liberty (on Galatians), so now with A Pilgrim’s Manual, Hanko has given us a rich exegetical commentary on a precious New Testament book. He has captured the heart of this epistle and woven its theme throughout this work. He will not have us forget that I Peter is indeed a pilgrim’s manual, inspired by the Holy Spirit and inscribed by Peter to guide God’s pilgrim-stranger people through this world on the way to their heavenly home.

Hanko is a skilled exegete in his own right (gifted by the Lord, of course). Having preached through the epistle in his early ministry, and having taught New Testament Greek for many years in the Protestant Reformed Seminary, Hanko develops the concepts and truths of this letter even further. In fact, Hanko is not afraid to differ with Herman Hoeksema and others at points. The result is a commentary that is fresh, deep, and rich in doctrinal teaching.

Still more, because Hanko writes as a churchman who is bound by and faithful to the Reformed creeds, his work breathes the beautiful truths of the Reformed faith, especially the sovereignty of God and the sovereignty of his grace to his people in Christ Jesus. And because he writes as a Protestant Reformed churchman, he emphasizes especially God’s sovereign, particular grace and his unconditional covenant with his elect people in Christ. For the same reasons, Hanko exposes the heresies and errors of our time, with clarity and compassion.

Nor does Hanko avoid the “difficult” doctrines presented in this epistle, such as Christ’s being the chief cornerstone of his church while also being the “stone of stumbling” and “rock of offence” to the wicked unbeliever—and both aspects being according to God’s sovereign predestination (election and reprobation, 2:4–9). Or the tough practical issues involving the true Christian’s persecution by this ungodly world (chaps. 2, 4) and the callings of the Christian wife and husband in marriage, even mixed ones (3:1–7). In the face of ecclesiastical mushiness on doctrine and outright wimpiness on morality, Hanko issues a clear sound of faithfulness to the text of Scripture, letting God’s word speak plainly and powerfully for the instruction, correction, and guidance of God’s people (II Tim. 3:16).

Yet this new work is also more than rich in exegesis and doctrinal commentary. Warmly dedicated to his wife “Wilma, my fellow pilgrim,” A Pilgrim’s Manual is also rich in devotion and practical application. Hanko writes this commentary as a redeemed and devoted Christian pilgrim, himself making the journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. And because he is a mature and experienced pilgrim, filled with the light of God’s word, he is able to provide us, his fellow pilgrims, with wise counsel for our journeys. In reading this commentary you will not lack for comfort and hope.

We sincerely welcome and heartily recommend A Pilgrim’s Manual to Christian readers everywhere. It will serve as a profitable addition to your personal or family library. It will feed your soul and strengthen your faith whether you use it for your group Bible study or for your personal devotions. Above all, this work will confirm you in the one hope we have as believers—the hope of our everlasting home with the Lord. By all means get this book, study the manual, and then press on, pilgrim!

Mr. Terpstra currently serves as the librarian and archivist (among other responsibilities) at the Protestant Reformed Seminary in Grandville, MI, and is the book review editor for the Standard Bearer.

“Thank you for Prof. Hanko’s commentary on I Peter. I think the older one gets—at least for me—the more one feels like a stranger, an alien, in this world and that even the longest life is very short. I find it well to be reminded that we as believers are just passing through as it were, all pilgrims on a journey from death into life, from darkness into increasing light, until we live forever in the eternal presence of uncreated light: there is no night there. Such a ‘manual’ that helps answer the question ‘How then must a pilgrim, torn between this world and the next, walk in all the relationships of this life?’ can only be a comfort and a support.” – W. Midlands, England

To watch the video of the author interview concerning this book, click here.

To read an excerpt of this book in Czech, click here.

Herman Hoeksema preached often on Revelation, even preaching through the entire book more than once—not to mention the numerous Bible studies he led on it. Behold He Cometh is thus the fruit of several decades of teaching. This essay-style commentary on the book of Revelation is written from the Reformed, amillennial viewpoint. In clear, concise language, the author sets forth rich biblical teaching concerning the end times.

Dr. William Hendriksen (renowned expositor of the Book of Revelation and minister in the Christian Reformed Church): “The treatment of the text is definitely Reformed in character in that it always ascribes all the glory to God and traces his way in history … I warmly recommend the book” (The Banner).

“We highly recommend this volume … Every pastor should own a copy, and it would serve as an excellent text for Seminary, Bible School or Bible class study groups” (The Gospel Witness).

“A new and solid commentary has been added to the list of the Reformed expositions of the last book of the Bible” (Calvinist Contact).

“A refreshing feature … was that the author showed great insight into the Scriptures” (Australian Baptist).

“… anyone who wishes to make a thorough study of Revelation owes it to himself to work through Hoeksema’s Behold He Cometh” (Wisconsin Lutheran Journal).

“It is the kind of book I would like to see in every library and in every home. I heartily recommend it” (Westminster Theological Journal).

“It is the best work on Revelation known to this reviewer (bearing in mind the excellent works of Hengstenberg, Durham and Hendriksen, to name no others) … Its lucid, simple style is admirably calculated to demonstrate just how perfectly the message of this final book of the canon accords with everything else in Holy Scripture … Hoeksema’s treatment of the Final Judgment of the ungodly and the blessedness of the New Jerusalem is a joy to read. May this superb work goad us to long, pray and work for the second coming of our Saviour, when the cosmic conflict shall end, when Christ shall yield up the kingdom to His Father, and God shall be all and in all” (Peace and Truth).

Rev. Jerome Julien (United Reformed Churches in North America): “Rev. Hoeksema preached through the Book of Revelation twice in his ministry, once soon after World War I and the second time during World War II, the latter time to very large crowds of hearers. The series of messages in this volume—fifty-three in number—thoroughly expounds the comforting truth in this last book of the Bible … A student of the Book of Revelation can hardly do better than this! … by all means get a copy of it” (The Outlook).

Joel R. Beeke: “Where should you begin [the study of eschatology]? Read the book of Revelation again. While doing so, consult Herman Hoeksema’s Behold He Cometh” (in Joel R. Beeke and Sinclair B. Ferguson [eds.], Reformed Confessions Harmonized [Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1999], p. 271).

Rev. Charles Roberts: “Rev. Hoeksema’s exposition of Revelation is a priceless tome of pastoral insight and scholarly wisdom. A superb, user friendly, amillennial analysis of one of the most important books in the canon of scripture.” – South Carolina, USA

“[My wife’s mother] was blessed to read Herman Hoeksema’s Reformed Dogmatics and Behold He Cometh. She has particularly found the latter very edifying in recent times and has revisited it often.” – W. Yorkshire

“Thank you very much for the book by Herman Hoeksema, Behold He Cometh! This is a wonderful and very useful book. Herman Hoeksema is superb in his writings! … Out of all the interpretations of the book of Revelation his is the most comprehensive and beautiful, and also tactful, without direct negative pointing to any particular group or denomination” – Kazakhstan

“I have almost finished reading Behold He Cometh, a wonderful and helpful read. Most illuminating and relevant; I had puzzled long about Rev. 17:9-13, Herman Hoeksema has clarified much for me. I find myself in total agreement with him in his methods and interpretation of the prophetic and apocalyptic literature of the Bible in the context of all of Holy Scripture. He is obviously familiar with the interpretative methods of others … and shows up their interpretation for what they are. Since the book was first written, events in the church and the world confirm Hoeksema’s understanding.” – Wolverhampton, England

“I’m reading a wonderful book I got from [the CPRC], Behold He Cometh, a commentary on Revelation. This has been a real help, although I only can work about 20 minutes a day on it [because of my serious health problems]. I have found it a real blessing.” – Co. Antrim, N. Ireland

“I was speaking to a believer on Saturday and during our conversation he mentioned Hoeksema’s Behold He Cometh and what a wonderful book he had found it.  So today I have had a look on the internet and begun reading it on line. The world is growing worse and worse. It’s so easy to become caught up in things and to begin to get fearful. How good it will be to be given an understanding of our great God and Saviour’s sovereign purpose in all the things He is bringing to pass before He comes back to judge the world in righteousness.” – Berkshire, England

“The commentary on Revelation is easily the best I’ve come across and Herman Hoeksema’s interpretation is so accurate, looking at the events that are developing in the world today.” – Essex, England

Click here to read a review of this book by one of our readers!
Click here to read a review of this book in the Standard Bearer.

Click here to read a review of this book in Korean.

Some chapters of this book have been translated into Polish.
Excerpts from the book on “The Binding of Satan”  and on Revelation 14:4-5 can be read on-line in Portuguese.
Chapter 7, “The Church With a Mystic Tendency” can be read on-line in Spanish.

“The question of comfort is placed and treated first, because it embodies the design and substance of the catechism. The design is that we may be led to the attainment of sure and solid comfort, both in life and death.” – Zacharias Ursinus on Lord’s Day 1

Comfort. To comfort God’s people with instruction in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This was the main reason the Heidelberg Catechism was written. To that end, George W. Williard’s English translation of The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism has existed alongside the Catechism since 1851, assisting many generations of believers in plumbing the depths of the biblical truth of comfort expounded in the Catechism.

This 2025 edition of the Commentary is improved in readability and consistency compared to previous editions, but still remains faithful to Williard’s original English translation. Bibliographical and explanatory footnotes have been added to improve the reader’s study. Now in an enhanced format, the Commentary is a theological classic that suited for any Christian’s library.

ZACHARIAS URSINUS (1534-1583) was a Reformed theologian and professor. Through his works and teaching, and as the main author of the Heidelberg Catechism, by God’s grace, Ursinus left an ongoing legacy for Reformed churches worldwide.

Reviews

“Over the centuries, many expositions and commentaries have been written on the Heidelberg Catechism, such as Theodorus VanderGroe’s The Christian’s Only Comfort in Life and Death and Herman Hoeksema’s multi-volume Triple Knowledge. Yet, no commentary has had quite the same impact or authority as that of Zacharias Ursinus himself. As the primary author of approximately 60% of the Catechism and its officially sanctioned expositor, Ursinus’ commentary is indispensable for anyone wishing to engage deeply with the text. Despite its historical and theological importance, Ursinus’ Commentary has not always been readily accessible to the modern reader. Previous editions were often printed in dated typefaces, out of circulation, or prohibitively expensive. Thankfully, the Reformed Free Publishing Association has now released a freshly typeset 2025 edition, restoring this seminal work to its rightful place in theological study. For those who have anticipated its release, this edition is not only a delight but also a much-needed resource.” – KristiyaKnow (courtesy @kristiyaknow_reviews)

“The lectures of Ursinus as compiled and edited by his student, David Pareus, are invaluable for understanding the Heidelberg Catechism. This is especially true for preachers tasked with proclaiming its teaching. Yet, preachers, and even those in the pew, may be turned off by its ‘scholastic’ structure. Far from making the Catechism more difficult, it was in the Christian use of Aristotle that Ursinus and others sought to analyze, break down, and simplify the teaching of the word for pastors, who are tasked with preaching to people. In other words, sophistication in the study leads to simplicity in the pulpit. Pastors: immerse yourself in the best of our tradition’s pedagogy and watch your preaching improve and your people’s minds and hearts be enflamed!” – Daniel R. Hyde (Ph.D., Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), pastor of Oceanside United Reformed Church (Carlsbad/Oceanside, CA)

“It is with great enthusiasm that I commend this latest edition of Ursinus’s Commentary from the RFPA … The reader of this new edition will find much to edify the soul. I cannot encourage you too strongly to buy this for your personal and church libraries. A blessing is in store for readers of classics.” – C. N. Willborn (Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary), senior pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (Oak Ridge, TN)

“The well-loved Heidelberg Catechism deserves not only careful study but also systematic exposition. And who better to write a commentary on the Catechism than one of its authors, Zacharias Ursinus? … Let us all rejoice in the republication of a significant resource in our Reformed theological and practical heritage.” – Thomas G. Reid Jr. (M.Div., Th.M.), retired librarian and registrar, Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Pittsburgh, PA)

“The real virtue of this book lies in what RFPA has done that makes it notably unique from other print editions … Where there are charts and other such helps in the text, this volume makes them cleaner and more presentable. Some features of the text have been tweaked for greater consistency. The best things here (besides the text, of course) are the study helps. There are not one, but TWO tables of contents. The first is creedal, structured according to the 52 Lord’s Days and the threefold division of Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude. The second is topical, aiding in deeper study on particular topics or questions. RFPA has also added footnotes to aid with deeper study … While these study features aren’t exhaustive, they do wonders for making the CHC accessible to a wider audience … This new edition of the CHC is truly a gift to the church. RFPA is to be highly commended for their work. I believe that no Christian’s library is complete without a copy of this book.” – Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms

“An essential Catechism resource. This edition is freshly formatted for easier reading. It contains numerous footnotes indicating original sources. It has corrected the translator’s mistakes. It has translated all foreign language quotations. This edition also includes Scripture and name indexes. If you have [an] older … reprint, it will be well worth your money to buy this improved edition. For those who’ve never owned it, it’s a great resource, especially if you’re regularly preaching or teaching the Catechism. It’ll be a good addition for church libraries too. But be warned: it wasn’t written as a popular guide to the Catechism. It’s academic and presented in the Protestant scholastic mode. Nevertheless, much of it will still be accessible to most Reformed readers today.” – Wes Bredenhof

In his preaching and teaching, Jesus Christ does not quote directly from the book of Ecclesiastes. Indeed, our Lord takes up the truth and concepts found in that book and expands on them in many of His parables. As such, the teachings of Ecclesiastes are part of the fabric of the gospel. The book undergirds the knowledge of the world as it is fallen in sin under God’s judgment. The world can afford us no salvation; man cannot deliver himself from bondage; under the sun the works of men do not profit; salvation, which is from above, is a work of God alone; God must enter into our misery in the person of His only begotten Son to save and redeem us. Under the sun, deliverance is not to be found, only vanity and death. Ecclesiastes points to the need for the work of God’s grace—in Christ, the true Saviour—as the only solution to the fallen world and its vanity!

_________________

Thomas Miersma is minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. During his ministry (1982–2017) he pastored two churches in Canada. He also laboured in the United States for many years as Western Home Missionary.

“Thomas Miersma’s Ecclesiastes: A Reflective Exposition is exactly what the title implies. It is not a technical commentary or even a popular-level commentary, at least not in the traditional sense … Rather, it reads much like a reflective homily, with a decidedly Reformed and Christocentric perspective on the contents of Ecclesiastes … After a brief introduction (composed of three chapters, two of which are the reproductions of Standard Bearer articles), the remaining twelve chapters offer reflec­tive commentary following the contents of the twelve chapters of Ecclesiastes. Within the commentary, Solomon is referenced by name as the author (rather than ‘Qohelet’), and the background of Solomon’s life therefore takes precedence in framing out the historical setting for the text. Interestingly, while affirming a Solo­monic context, Miersma takes a decidedly positive approach to the teachings of the ‘Preacher,’ with the spiritual virtues of Solomon’s wisdom emphasized over his downfall. In the reflective commentary, the words of the Preacher direct the reader to spiritually edifying truths that ultimately point to Christ” (Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society).

“Pastor Miersma demonstrates the principle of Scripture interpreting Scripture by supplying meaningful references from both the Old and New Testaments to sections of Ecclesiastes. One such reference is Ecclesiastes 3:14 (‘Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it’) and Romans 11:36 (‘All things are of him and through him and to him’) (p. 56). It is apparent that much attention has been given to draw the rest of Scripture into the commentary. I myself intend to sit down to read the commentary as a devotional over many days, allowing the Wisdom of Solomon to do its work. The book is what it claims to be on the cover, A Reflective Exposition, worthy of reflective thought” (Africanus Journal).

A review of Ecclesiastes: A Reflective Exposition by Rev. Stephan Regnerus

An important virtue that every Christian seeks to have is the ability to live gratefully in the present moment.  This is no easy task.  So easily our minds wander either to the future – what I want to be someday! – or revert to the past – what I regret about yesterday – instead of focusing on the present moment – where has God placed me right now?  Our failure to live with contentment and gratitude in the present moment is not without consequence; how many worries and fears we bear up under because we fail to do this very thing!

Rev. T. Miersma’s reflections on the book of Ecclesiastes will be helpful to the one who is striving to grow in the Christian grace of contentment.  Solomon, the inspired writer, finishes the book: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13).  Miersma writes with the goal of helping the Christian honour God in his day by day living.  He states at the outset: “[Ecclesiastes’] purpose is not so much to give what is mistakenly called practical instruction or instruction on how to do something, but rather to give true practical wisdom by giving us to see the realities of life with spiritual discernment” (7).

Miersma’s book contains biblical instruction for many different areas of life.  This is done in accord with the duty of the wise preacher.  “And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs,” (Eccl. 12:9).  Miersma’s exposition teaches about parenting, work and employment, the nature and power of the Holy Scriptures, the proper use of money, and the struggle against lust and discontent.  Mothers and fathers, old and young, male and female alike will find application to their lives as they read through it.  

This is not to say that the book is simplistic or legalistic.  Rather, the book is powerful, for the book presents to the reader the gospel.  Miersma writes honestly and soberly: “Man is finite and fallen in sin.  That which is new can only be of God and that by a wonder of grace.  Ecclesiastes stands as part of the background of the gospel.  For as it paints a true portrait of the vanity of life it points us to God and the new thing which he alone has wrought in Jesus Christ” (33).  

Miersma is qualified to have written such a spiritual commentary.  One qualification that stands out is his many years of experience as a pastor.  Years of labouring as an under-shepherd has given him to see first hand the transitory nature of life on this earth.  He has observed that “to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Eccl. 3:1).  These life experiences, in conjunction with his own personal conviction of life after death, add depth and warmth to the book.

The book could be recommended for many reasons, but what stands out is the wise and time-appropriate instruction about money.  We live in a world in which materialism is not only permitted but even encouraged.  Men spend their days trying to earn more dollars; women and men alike spend their free time dreaming of ways they may spend their money.  Miersma cautions against such: “Earthly abundance does not satisfy.  Enough, whether of gold and silver or abundance, is never enough” (86).  Indeed, “the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep” (Eccl. 5:12), because “riches for a man given to covetousness bring with them fretful care and worry lest they be lost” (89).  The sad end of the covetous man is “he now has nothing, and he will die and carry nothing away.  He has striven for the wind and obtained empty air” (92).  In contrast is the blessing “that grace brings to us as the children of God and [which] gives to us the light of life, even eternal life” (92).

Ecclesiastes is a deep book.  Anyone who has read through it will acknowledge the difficulty of understanding the figurative language used by Solomon.  Miersma, as a good teacher, has worked hard at taking that which is deep and mysterious and making it discernible and concrete to the reader.  Nonetheless, some readers will struggle to stay engaged; after all, the book is a biblical exposition, not a novel.  May I recommend that the earnest reader take small sections at a time – perhaps reading only a few pages at a time – and then meditate and pray over the truth, and you will find this book to be a blessing to you.

The believers James is writing to faced many problems as they made the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament. James addresses these issues that the early Christians faced, including trials and temptations, true religion, wisdom, the use of the tongue, the judgment of the rich, patience, and spiritual help in trouble.

This eminently practical book gives instruction for living the Christian life in many of its aspects. A salient feature is the relation between justification and works, which James explains by the examples of Abraham and Rahab.

Review
by Rev. Matthew De Boer

How are we to live as those who are justified before God in Christ? In his commentary on the book of James, Faith Made Perfect, Prof. Herman Hanko answers this question by explaining the practical instruction the epistle of James gives to God’s children. The converted Jews, whom James addresses in this epistle, received instruction concerning the same things that we need to be instructed about today. As God’s people who are united to Christ by faith, we are taught in the book of James how to deal with trials and temptations, how to be wise, how to use our tongues, how to handle unfair treatment by those in authority over us, and how to deal with spiritual struggles. In exegeting these passages filled with practical demands in a verse-by-verse commentary, Professor Hanko provides excellent applications for all the members of God’s church today, including the elderly and the young people. He shows how we are to live to God’s glory in all of life and to manifest that we have genuine faith.

Understanding that we often fall short of obeying God’s commands and doing good works, even as those who are his children and united to Christ, Professor Hanko always makes sure to lead the reader to the cross of Christ. In interpreting the admonitions of James to the converted Jews of that day concerning their walk of life, Hanko shows that we also often do not follow God’s commands in this epistle and that we often do not live out of the bond of faith we have with Christ. Yet, Hanko always emphasizes that there is hope for us in Christ. For instance, concerning James 4:7, which calls us to “resist the devil,” Hanko writes, “When we fall into sin, as so often we do, we have the victory of the cross to which we flee in humble confession” (207). This book is truly Christ-centered.

In his discussion of the practical instruction and commands we are given in the book of James, Hanko explains the teaching of the book concerning the relationship between faith and works. He exegetes key passages in the book of James that deal with our justification in the sight of God. The Roman Catholic Church as well as the proponents of the federal vision use passages in James to teach that we are justified by faith and works. They appeal to texts such as James 2:21, which states, “Was not Abraham justified by works?” to attempt to prove their position. Hanko examines James 2:21 and other passages like it that are so often falsely interpreted and proves that James teaches the same truth of justification by faith alone as Paul did in Romans and in Galatians by the inspiration of the Spirit. In his explanation Hanko shows that there are indeed no contradictions in scripture.

After reading this book the child of God most definitely will have a greater knowledge of the book of James and will surely be spiritually edified. Professor Hanko spends much time explaining the connections between the verses that can sometimes be difficult to find. In describing the connections, he gives the reader a richer understanding of each individual passage. Also, his explanation of many of the key words used in the original language help the believer better understand the important concepts of this epistle. In reading this careful work on the book of James, the believer will certainly grow in knowledge of his God and will develop in his understanding of how he is to live his everyday life as one who is one with Jesus Christ.

Review
by Rev. Martyn McGeown

This is Herman Hanko’s third commentary. He has written previously on Galatians and 1 Peter, and Faith Made Perfect follows the same basic format. This is a commentary not a series of sermons, although it is certainly the fruit of thorough exegesis. In the preface Hanko mentions that he had preached a series on Galatians. I believe he may have preached, or planned to preach, a series on James also. Be that as it may, Faith Made Perfect would be helpful to the preacher today who considered preaching a series of sermons on James.

However, like all of Hanko’s books, and, indeed, like all of the books published by the Reformed Free Publishing Association (RFPA), this book is not designed to be only for preachers, theologians, or biblical scholars. There are useful footnotes, in which various points of Greek grammar are elucidated, but these are not at all off-putting to the Christian without any knowledge of the Greek language of the New Testament. These notes are useful to the pastor as he struggles with exegesis. In addition, Hanko does not bore us with extraneous details of textual criticism, historical background, or other matters, but quickly, after a brief introduction, delves into the text of scripture, which is our spiritual meat.

The title of the book, Faith Made Perfect, captures the theme of the epistle—faith is made perfect by works. The purpose of James, and more importantly the purpose of the Spirit who inspired James, is to contrast the dead “faith” of the hypocrite with the living, works-producing faith of the child of God. Pivotal to James, and pivotal to Faith Made Perfect, is chapter 2, which in church history has been a battleground not only between Rome and the reformers, but also now between the Reformed and the men of the federal vision. In light of this fact, every Reformed Christian must know what James means when he declares, “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” and “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:22, 24).

Something that impressed me about this book—and this is something that we ministers need to bear in mind when we preach series—is that Hanko never loses sight of his main theme as he works through the epistle. Always that main theme colors his exegesis and applications. For example, in his explanation of chapter 1, where James exhorts his readers to hear and to do the word of God, Hanko rightly remarks:

Immediately, the apostle slams the door in the face of all Arminians and those who teach justification by faith and works by pointing out that because we are regenerated, we are to perform these good works, which good works are what these admonitions require. James also closes the door to the antinomians, who claim that good works are unnecessary. He says, “You are regenerated, therefore God has given you the spiritual power to do these good works. Be what God has made you. You are justified by faith, and faith produces good works” (58).

Antinomianism is not an issue only in chapter 3—it is James’ concern throughout the epistle. Hanko never lets us forget it!

Another feature of Faith Made Perfect is the multiplicity of illustrations and applications. In this way Hanko follows the style of the book that he is expositing, for James uses many homely or earthy illustrations and makes numerous pointed applications. One need only list a few from chapter one—the wave of the sea (v. 6), the burning heat of the sun (v. 11), lust’s conception and bringing forth of sin and death (v. 15), and the forgetful mirror-gazer (vv. 23–24). Hanko applies the word sharply and pointedly—to himself and then to us:

This is strange, but true. You can hear a child of God sing fervently God’s praises in church on the Lord’s day as he sits next to you in the pew. But when you stand near him outside of church, you may hear him curse someone as he relates what that person did to him. You are inclined to ask, “Can this be the same person?” Then it comes to you sharply and as a dagger. You do the same in your home. You lead the family in devotions, but suddenly you speak evil of someone within the congregation and repeat a juicy bit of gossip that was told you by one of your fellow workers on the job (169).

Faith Made Perfect combines good exegesis, sound theology, helpful illustrations, and heart-searching applications. The reader will understand the epistle of James when he has finished the book, which will be useful for Bible study groups and pastors alike. Not only will the reader understand James, but also, if he has read carefully and prayerfully, he will be found humbled and comforted at the feet of Christ, where all true faith leads us.

In 1618-1619 the great Synod of Dordt met to counter the Arminian error that was threatening the peace and welfare of the Reformed churches in the Netherlands. The fruit of their deliberations was the Canons of Dordt, a creed which has defined the Calvinist, Reformed faith for centuries.

This accessible commentary on the Canons leads readers through the comforting message of the creed: being wholly saved by God’s grace—not one’s own merit—comes with the steadfast assurance of eternal and unchangeable election.

A recent radio interview of Rev. McGeown about his book, Grace and Assurance: The Message of the Canons of Dordt, is available!

Part 2 of a recent radio interview with Rev. McGeown about Grace and Assurance

REVIEW

Grace and Assurance: The Message of the Canons of Dordt, by Martyn McGeown. Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2018. Hardcover. 384 pages. [Reviewed by Derrick Span, a member of Immanuel Protestant Reformed Church.]

Rev. Martyn McGeown’s book, entitled Grace and Assurance: The Message of the Canons of Dordt, emphasizes the necessity, as Reformed Christians, to thoroughly understand our creeds and confessions. These creeds and confessions exhibit what heresies our fathers fought against and what they clung to with ardent zeal. We might ask what value there is in reading a book about the Canons, or we might object that the Canons, Belgic Confession, and Heidelberg Catechism are only creeds. Should we be spending our time studying these old creeds and confessions when we have big enough problems understanding our Bible? Are we not supposed to hold to sola scriptura? While these areas of concern are essential, they express a misunderstanding that we cannot learn from those who came before us. We must be careful in speaking in that way. Instead, we ought to read and listen to those who fought for the truth, seeking the truth from them. By hearing them, we will be better equipped to read God’s word through an informed outlook. So I encourage the use of this book not just for informing us of what our fathers taught, but as a means to examine what we hold to and whether we maintain the understanding of God’s word. To encourage this mindset, a brief explanation of the book is necessary.

The author’s explanation of the Canons begins with the intent, namely to expose Arminianism as erroneous from the ground up. To accomplish this purpose, our fathers had to explain many different doctrines as clearly as possible to leave no room for Arminianism to stand. Where would they begin? Would they start with the main point that Arminian fought against, i.e., reprobation? As a reading of the Canons would illustrate, they did not begin with reprobation; in fact, they did not for some time. The Canons began with who God is and who man is in relation to God. McGeown and our forefathers teach us a crucial bit of wisdom by starting with God in their explanation.

Explaining the context surrounding the creeds, the author dives into the material, systematically explaining all five heads by showing that all the articles connect to create an excellent understanding of God’s word. In chapter one head one is covered. Starting with the scriptures, Dordt formed its foundation for theology. The author explains in head one that the Canons’ foundation includes the following: what kind of God we have; who we are to him; and God’s purpose for predestination. After establishing a foundation on these topics, Dordt could confidently examine the objections the Arminians had towards election and reprobation including questions like: what kind of loving God would send people to hell?; and, alternatively, how does predestination not destroy any possibility of a personal decision? McGeown shows how the answers to these questions and more are developed further through all five heads.

In chapter two head two builds on head one in that it takes up the subject of Christ’s death in relation to predestination. For example, why did Christ have to die for his people? Could God not have just “forgotten” their debt to him? Would he not have been merciful in doing that? The answers to these questions need to be developed from the foundation of head one because they are rooted in the character of who God is. Many Arminians explain that God is a loving God that loves all men, so he tries to persuade all men to believe. What a perversion of the truth!

The answers in chapter two prepare the reader for chapter three heads three and four, which explain the Arminian view of resistible grace, engaging in the hard topic of free will. The Canons do not stop with describing the Reformed view of free will though. Even if everyone understood that they were totally depraved and inclined to all wickedness, how would they obtain comfort in their knowledge of that doctrine? How do they find comfort in the fact that they are unable to do any good? The author explains this by developing the relationship between the preaching and regeneration, showing that regeneration occurs not from goodness rooted in the sinful heart of believers, but from the inward workings of the Holy Ghost, which cannot end with believers being left comfortless. Chapter four furthers the explanation of this comfort.

Head five considers the preservation of the saints in chapter four. What does the preservation of the saints mean? McGeown develops Dordt’s explanation of this doctrine, using very personal language. What would it mean if a believer could lose their salvation? He explains that this loss would imply losing faith, which means that they would need to become regenerated again and again. What are the implications of that Arminian view? The Canons explain the preservation of the saints by first delving into what a saint is and what their actions ought to be. In addition to teaching what a believer is, the Canons develop how to understand sin. How does God expect his people to understand concerning their sinful inclinations? Getting to the point more: why do believers fall into sin? These questions are quite relevant for our everyday lives, and the Canons explain these questions quite clearly. McGeown states, “the Canons are realistic and experiential in that they reflect the real experiences of God’s children in this world.”

The Canons explain who God and man are. Although the Canons are extensive and can be complicated, McGeown explains it as follows, “If you have ever wondered why theology is so complicated, blame the heretics.” In other words, God’s word is simple, but the lie of the devil tries to change that. The devil attempts to take away any form of comfort we have in Jesus, and to keep this comfort we need to know all assaults on the joy of the gospel and how to defend against any threat to it. This defense occurs when we study threats that arise that would destroy our comfort. A great way to keep on top of heresy is by staying sharp in our understanding of them. The Canons build a clear knowledge of salvation, so we are obligated to use it to further our knowledge of the truth. McGeown’s exposition of the Canons is a valuable tool, and this book builds an excellent foundation for the truth. We have an obligation to read it and seek guidance from it. May it guide you as it did me.

The book of Job is God’s commentary on the sufferings and trials of His people. Jehovah speaks to our struggles, first, from the viewpoint of His own interactions with Satan, then from the viewpoint of Job’s interactions with his friends and, finally, as the One who appears to Job and his friends in a tornado. The book describes suffering on a scale seldom seen. It shows our weaknesses and the temptations we face when under the hand of God or when called to bring comfort to others who are suffering. For that reason, it is instructive and corrective. But it is also of great encouragement, for it points those who are suffering to God’s sovereignty in trials, and to His faithfulness and saving grace to His own.

This work is not an exhaustive, verse-by-verse explanation of the book of Job. Instead, Rev. Hanko shows how the book fits together and leads up to its grand climax in the appearance of Almighty God! It also shows that Job has often been misunderstood and maligned, and though guilty of sin, as we all are in suffering, is nevertheless one whose faith and hope in God are sure. May it be of help to all who love God as Job did, especially when the God they love chastises and corrects them as He does all of His children.

Ronald Hanko is an emeritus minister in the Protestant Reformed Churches of America. He has served in the active ministry for 38 years. He has also written Doctrine According to Godliness: A Primer of Reformed Doctrine and The Coming of Zion’s Redeemer: The Prophecies of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Knowing God in the Last Days is an explanation of the second general epistle of Peter to the early New Testament church. The primary theme of the letter is the knowledge of God, a concept that occurs many times and in various contexts throughout the book. This short epistle contains a wealth of instruction for the church today.

The secondary theme of II Peter is the application of the knowledge of God to the last days in which we live. Especially in his third chapter, Peter reveals to the church the knowledge of God as it relates to the end times.

Based on exegesis of the Greek text, this commentary gives clarity of explanation to God’s people regarding necessary and important aspects of today’s Christian life. God’s people will be edified in reading this book!

“Been looking for something on II Peter for some time—most apposite themes for our times.” – Wolverhampton, England

Description

Christians want to know Christ from the Old Testament, from Micah, and the other minor prophets. And yet for many of us the minor prophets are like a sealed book. The inspired writing of the minor prophets are addressed to the people of God and addressed to us also in the New Testament church. As inspired scripture they indeed speak of Christ: Micah does so extensively, and not only in the obvious reference to Bethlehem in chapter 5:2.

The prophet Micah proclaims the incomparable God of judgment and mercy. This God is our God, the God of all who believe in Jesus Christ. And this prophecy has vital lessons to teach us today.

“I would like a copy of [Micah: Proclaiming the Incomparable God, the book by Rev. Martyn McGeown] … Recently, I started [delivering] a series on Micah in our Bible classes, for which I leaned heavily on the profitable sermon series by Rev. McGeown.” – Hungary

“I have almost finished Rev. McGeown’s book on Micah – just 20 pages to go. It is excellent; very clear and easy to understand. When I’m finished, I intend to read it all again. There is so much good material in it and, now that I am elderly, I find it harder to retain it all.” – N. Ireland

“I am, unusually, staying with the wonderful prophecy of Micah, even though I studied it slowly and carefully the first time. It has been so very good being given the entrance to it, as I so needed both its conviction and its comfort. How much we, the bride of Christ, need every part of God’s precious Word!” – England

Author interview—Rev. McGeown talks about his new book, Micah: Proclaiming the Incomparable God

Read a review of this book by Rev. Jerome Julian

Click here to read another review of Micah: Proclaiming the Incomparable God

At the height of his powers as an interpreter of the Word of God in the late 1930s, Reformed theologian Herman Hoeksema preached a series of ninety-seven sermons covering the entire book of Romans. The transcription of them by a member of his congregation was recently made available to the RFPA for publication. The outstanding worth of this new work is its fresh, bold, penetrating, and utterly faithful exposition of the book of the Bible that the Reformation rightly regarded as the summa of the gospel of salvation by grace alone. Hoeksema called Romans “one of the richest and most beautiful parts of the Word of God. “In addition to abundant natural abilities, wide-reading, and disciplined theological study over many years, Hoeksema shared the zeal of the apostle Paul for the glory of the triune God in His sovereignty. This emboldened him to proclaim faithfully what Paul said, particularly on predestination. This exposition is addressed not to the scholars, but to the very same audience for whom the apostle wrote the epistle: the “beloved of God, called to be saints.”

“The clarity of language, the simplicity of explanation, the warmth of teaching, the sharpness of application, and the homeliness of illustration make this book truly a devotional commentary on Romans“—David J. Engelsma, editor.

Click here to read a review of this book from the British Reformed Journal.

A chapter of this book can be read in Chinese.
Read chapter 61 of this book in Hungarian.
Chapters of this book can be read in Italian.
Read chapter 3 and chapter 10 of this book in Polish.
Read chapter 21 and chapter 59 of this book in Portuguese.

Click here to read a review of this book in Korean.

Dr. William Hendriksen: “[Hoeksema’s] preaching was forceful, well organised, thematic exegetical and generally inspiring …”

“In this book the .. reader will be edified, for he is constantly shown his own worthlessness, and the worth of Christ’s perfect righteousness imputed to him; he will be challenged because Hoeksema was a profound and original preacher; and the reader will always be driven back to God and the Scriptures. The present reviewer has used this commentary as a devotional aid in studying Romans, and it is one of the best he has used. Averaging six pages per sermon—[it is suitable] even for the time pressed worker. If you want to know why the likes of Prof. Cornelius Van Til would make his way to hear Hoeksema preach, then you should get this book … I cannot recommend it highly enough” (English Churchman).

“Handling the deepest doctrines with a sure and sanctified hand, afraid of no difficulties, Hoeksema had also the common touch in making his exposition easy, lucid, and very readable indeed … Christians ‘in the pew’ will find themselves frequently turning to it to refresh their soul, be challenged, and find encouragement. Like all the publications of the RFPA this book is excellently produced, and good value for money. Those who invest in a copy will, I believe, come to treasure it as a choice blessing from the Lord” (British Church Newspaper).

“In the opinion of this reviewer, Herman Hoeksema, a contemporary of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, was the best expositor of the twentieth century … His grasp of Paul’s inspired thinking is as though he had been a personal friend of the Apostle … The essence of Scripture is what Hoeksema is all about … He demonstrates the irrefutable substance of Paul’s reasoning. he does so with warmth, challenging his hearers, with profound depth yet in language we all understand. There is nothing dryly theological in this exposition. The messages are from a heart to hearts. It is stirring reading because it follows the author closely—alive with Scriptural application … the personal benefits from this exposition are a fine gold. Procure it!” (New Focus).

“The material in this book constitutes the best combination of theology and devotional reading that I have come across for a long time … This book is thoroughly recommended. I have read it every day at the close of my own devotions for the past eight months, with great benefit and thankfulness to God” (Evangelical Times).

“Yesterday, I received the superb Righteous By Faith Alone, and have already been blessed by the first two sermons.  Could you please convey my thanks to the dear young people of the PR churches who have subsidised the sale of it here.”

“Thank you for apprising me of the availability of the long awaited volume [Righteous By Faith Alone]. Within minutes of the arrival of your email I placed an order …”

“For the last 4 months, we have been studying the epistle to the Romans in our youth Bible classes. The commentary of Hoeksema proved to be very helpful material. It’s crystal clear, sound, deep and wonderful. Thank you for this book!” – Hungary

“Just letting you know that I find Herman Hoeksema on Romans excellent. Highly recommended, very edifying! Every blessing.”

“At last! A book I have been waiting for. Please mail me a copy of the latest offering from Herman Hoeksema. I am grateful to Rev. Stewart for letting me know. Am enjoying his CR News.”

“Hoeksema on Romans continues to be a real blessing to me.” – Wales

“Please send me one Righteous By Faith Alone, and bill me for it. [A friend] couldn’t commend it more highly.”

“I e-mailed [a friend] and told him to do anything, even if it meant trading in the wife, and get Hoeksema on Romans. He told me he had ordered it.”

“Purchased Righteous By Faith Alone from you earlier in the month and managed to read the first 153 pages thereof over the past few days. Very profitable indeed (!) and I look forward to the remaining pages. I remember hearing it said that ‘we read to know that we are not alone.’ A book such as the aforementioned (the first 153 pages at least) would illustrate this point well in my own experience and circumstance.”

“You know how that the faces of small boys are apt to glow when they receive something they really want. Well, something akin to this influences me now as I hold in my hand this beautifully ‘packaged’ volume of sermons, Righteousness by Faith Alone, by ‘Harm’ Hoeksema. I anticipate being seriously incommunicado, tucked up with this volume by the fireside. I dipped into it and read the first paragraph of chapter 1—oh yes, vintage Hoeksema, the same clarity, force of truth, depth of understanding, expressed in plain language which has endeared me to all his material. He was a giant of a man spiritually.”

“I’m reading Romans at present with the help of the wonderful Righteous by Faith Alone. I’m being convicted and illuminated greatly by it” – Yorkshire

In 950 pages—one chapter for every chapter of Genesis—the author shares a rich collection of facts and insights that he gathered over a thirty-year period from his own personal Bible study and from a variety of other disciplines. From natural history to biblical word studies, Rev. Harbach weaves a most interesting narrative, all undergirded with his belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. As one reviewer put it, the author “had the believer, not the learned doctors of theology in mind.” This work will make a most rewarding companion volume to your Bible the next time you read through Genesis. It is well documented with footnotes and an extensive bibliography. A subject index is included as well.

STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS by Robert C. Harbach (reviewed by Prof. H. Hanko)

In my Seminary days I studied with Rev. Harbach under the instruction of Revs. Hoeksema and Ophoff. Over the years in the ministry he has been an esteemed colleague and it is with a sense of grief that I see his active ministry brought to a close by retirement. In a certain sense, this commentary by Rev. Harbach is a continuation of his ministry in our churches and his labours of love to believers throughout the world who love the Reformed faith. We are thankful that it has been published and wish to commend the congregation of Grandville for undertaking this work. It will be of abiding value for all those who love the Scriptures and who know that the Reformed faith is the truth of Scripture.

It is impossible, of course, to review the book in detail. But Rev. Harbach has made the study of the book of Genesis a project which spanned many years. His commentary on this book is not, therefore, hastily thrown together, but is the culmination of many years of thoughtful study and prayer, and has undergone the testing of societies and Bible classes which Rev. Harbach has led. It is a book which gives evidence of much thoughtful contemplation of the divine text.

As far as the format is concerned, a few things may be said. It is a detailed (though never tedious) and faithful exposition of the text itself and shows the author’s commitment to the truth of inerrant inspiration. It is interspersed with graphs, charts, quotations from other writers and from various poets. It has several notes on various doctrinal questions which arise out of the text which are, in themselves, important and interesting. At the end it contains an appendix which deals with the unbelief of higher criticism, especially applied to this book.

When the book is reprinted, I would suggest a couple of changes in format which would, I think, enhance the value of it. There is a certain lack of uniformity in format which, if corrected, would make the book better. For example, the first part of the book deals with the text verse by verse; the second part is written in more essay-type form. Sometimes the author includes, a long list of questions at the end of his discussion of a chapter; other times he does not. Sometimes a chapter begins with the author’s own translation of the passage; other times it does not. Perhaps these inconsistencies in format are the result of a long period of labour, but they ought to be changed in future printings.

The book is scholarly, thorough, and very interesting reading. It gives evidence of a wide range of learning in many fields and demonstrates clearly the terrible error of vicious higher and destructive criticism, something sorely needed in our day. It is written by a man who is not only deeply committed to the Reformed faith, but who is not averse to setting forth the Reformed faith over against those who deny it. It is, in a good sense, polemical.

Rev. Harbach comes from a different ecclesiastical tradition than that of the Dutch Reformed faith. To me this is one of the strengths of the book. Because of our upbringing, we are sometimes not as aware of ecclesiastical currents outside our Churches as we would like to be. Rev. Harbach, speaking from a different background, has something to say to us which we ought to hear. And he has not lost his ability to speak to others outside our own tradition in a way which we cannot. I find this refreshing and enriching.

While the commentary goes into various technical questions of Hebrew grammar and syntax, as well as various scientific questions which arise out of the attacks on the historicity of Genesis 1-11, it is never written in such a way that it lies beyond the understanding of all God’s people. Rev. Harbach had the believer, not learned doctors of theology, in mind when he wrote the book. All our readers, therefore, ought to have a copy in their libraries, not only to support the work of Grandville Church, but also to enrich their own understanding of this important book of the Bible.

An orthodox commentary on the confession, that is, one that is in wholehearted accord with the teachings of the confession, and resolutely faithful to them, will be profitable to Reformed Christians and churches in the twenty-first century, not only for invaluable instruction in the Reformed faith, but also for the maintenance and defense of Reformed orthodoxy.

Founded on holy scripture, the Belgic Confession determines sound doctrine for Reformed churches and believers. This doctrine is rich, lovely, and powerful. The confession also authoritatively exposes contemporary heresies. As they read this commentary which proclaims the doctrine and authority of the confession, all believers who love the Reformed faith will be faithfully guided in the truth of the “old paths.”

Volume one covers Articles 1-21 of the Belgic Confession.

Listen to an interview of Prof. Engelsma about the Belgic Confession and his commentary.

“I’m enjoying the commentary on the Belgic Confession of Faith by Engelsma.” – England

With the publication of volume 2 is completed a full-scale, Reformed commentary on the Belgic Confession, of which there are only a few in English today. This book is not a summary of the Confession, nor a compilation of sermons loosely based on the Confession, but a commentary. It explains the Confession, article by article, doctrine by doctrine. Volume 2 begins with the Confession’s opening article on the doctrine of salvation, continues with the Confession’s lengthy treatment of the doctrine of the church and concludes with the Confession’s explanation of the doctrine of the last things—eschatology. Volume 2 covers Articles 22-37 of the Belgic Confession and includes indexes for both volumes.

Listen to an interview of Prof. Engelsma about the Belgic Confession and his commentary.

An excerpt of this book has been translated into Hungarian.

Former missionary-pastor in the CPRC, Rev. Ron Hanko’s The Coming of Zion’s Redeemer is a commentary on the last three books of the Old Testament: Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.

These prophecies, though not always easy to understand, are as much needed today as when they were inspired. Written for those living at the end of the Old Testament and looking forward to the first coming of Christ, they speak with authority and promise to those who are looking forward to the second coming of Christ and who live near the end of this present age. Though Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi are very different in style, they have a unity of theme and purpose in Christ, the great king, priest and prophet of His people.

Follow Rev. Hanko through the four prophecies of Haggai on “the desire of all nations;” the seven visions, three stories and two burdens of Zechariah on “the priest upon the throne;” and the six disputations of Malachi on “the messenger of the covenant.”

“The Coming of Zion’s Redeemer is the best OT commentary I have. It is beautifully finished and I loved every page of it.” – N. Ireland

“I’m very much enjoying Ronald Hanko’s The Coming of Zion’s Redeemer.” – England

Walking in the Way of Love, volume 1, is a commentary on, and application of, chapters 1-9 of I Corinthians. Directed toward the believer and the true church of Jesus Christ, the book teaches the vitally important way of true love, over against the foolish chatter about love spoken by the world and the apostate church.

Here is rich fare: the cross as the wisdom and power of God, the Spirit searching the deep things of God, carnal Christianity, apostolic ministry, church discipline of those living in fornication, the believer and going to court, singleness and marriage, Christian liberty, ministerial support and much more!

Click here to watch a video interview with Rev. Nathan Langerak about his book.

“I must say how much I am enjoying Langerak’s commentary. I’ve never read a commentary on Corinthians quite like it. It must be unique among such commentaries, very insightful, very inspiring! Beautiful but unusual prose, almost poetic—if that’s not a contradiction in terms!” – England

“I have finished reading volume 1 of Langerak on I Corinthians. This commentary is not for the faint-hearted or casual Christian. It is strong meat. It is not the candy floss faith of so much that passes for Christianity these days. Men call what is wicked liberty and what is our liberty in the Lord they make sin. Langerak deftly, soundly and sensitively corrects this. I look forward to starting the second volume.” – England

This rich exposition of I Corinthians 10-16 covers the significance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (chs. 10-11), the controversial topic of spiritual gifts in the body (chs. 12, 14), the beautiful paean to love (ch. 13), the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ and His church (ch. 15) and the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem (ch. 16).

Here are some chapter titles to whet your spiritual appetite: “Baptism in the Red Sea” (10:1-5), “Divisions in the Church” (11:17-19), “A Diversity of Gifts” (12:4-11), “Love’s Practice” (13:4-7), “Speaking With the Understanding” (14:13-19), “Women Keep Silence in the Churches” (14:34-35), “The Adams, First and Last” (15:45-50) and “Anathema” (16:22).

“I have read the first two chapters of Walking in the Way of Love, vol. 2. Such wonderful and important teaching on Old Testament history as being types!” – Yorkshire, England

“I must say how much I am enjoying Langerak’s commentary. I’ve never read a commentary on Corinthians quite like it. It must be unique among such commentaries, very insightful, very inspiring! Beautiful but unusual prose, almost poetic—if that’s not a contradiction in terms!” – England

Book Review

Walking in the Way of Love: A Practical Commentary on 1 Corinthians for the Believer, volume 2,
by Nathan J. Langerak. 
Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2019. 
544 pages, hardcover. 
[Reviewed by Rev. Clayton Spronk, pastor of Faith Protestant Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan]

Rare are the biblical commentaries that provide sound theological instruction. Rarer still are the commentaries that provide sound theological instruction and helpful application to the faith and life of the church today. Even a little of both of these oft-missing ingredients would be enough to recommend a commentary to serious students of scripture. That this volume offers a feast of accurate explanations of the truth of scripture and appropriate applications means that I must highly recommend it to the reader.

Living up to its title as a practical commentary the book provides much doctrinal instruction. This is necessary because sound doctrine is the basis for the practice of believing and doing. Rev. Langerak’s teaching is sound because he derives his teaching from the scriptures. The doctrine that he teaches is truly apostolic, a holding fast to and a passing down of the apostles’ doctrine as recorded in the New Testament and confessed by the true church of Jesus Christ in every age. To read this book then is to sit at the feet of the apostles. What do the apostles say about the relationship between the Old and New Testament? What do the apostles say about spiritual gifts? What do the apostles say about the unity of the church? What do the apostles have to say about the instituted church? What about love, the resurrection of the body, and various elements of public worship (such as who should speak in the worship service, and whether offerings should be taken)? These are just some of the biblical truths that Rev. Langerak carefully sets forth from the text of scripture.

What false doctrines did the apostle Paul refute in this epistle, and how does his handling of them apply to the church’s life today? Rev. Langerak does not force his polemics, and therefore does not bring up errors merely because he has an ax to grind. He brings up the errors where they are appropriate because the particular passage he is explaining condemns the error, even if the error may be relatively new. Rev. Langerak shows that it is not he, but the Holy Spirit and the apostle Paul, who condemn dispensationalism, postmillennialism, conditionalism in the covenant, common grace, evolutionism, and a variety of other false doctrines.

But to be a successful practical commentary on walking in the way of love, Rev. Langerak must provide helpful applications to the church’s faith and life. The book is a resounding success. There are many rich applications in this book to family life, school life, work life, and to church life. You may be surprised to find that Rev. Langerak teaches that true love (which is not the false love touted by Rob Bell) really does win. He applies this beautifully to marriage, not only calling husbands and wives to stay married (as if that exhausts the Christian’s calling in marriage), but to live in love for each other (see especially chapter 18).  Stirring is Rev. Langerak’s call to the believer to recognize the beauty of love, personifying love as the most beautiful of women, so that the believer will live in that love. Chapter 31 is basically a profound explanation of the so-called Reformed world-and-life.

Probably the most moving applications in the book are the words of comfort that Rev. Langerak speaks to the believer’s heart. Rev. Langerak believes in salvation by God’s sovereign grace alone. This truth is precious to him, and it is evident that he is committed to preaching this truth to the congregation of Crete PR Church (these chapters are based on a series of sermons that Rev. Langerak preached to the congregation). He clearly understands that without this truth he would have no truth and no comfort to bring to God’s people in his preaching or writing. But because of his conviction of the certainty of salvation by sovereign grace (any other kind of salvation is necessarily uncertain) Rev. Langerak is able drive to home the assurance of salvation in variety of powerful ways. I quote one brief section (my favorite) as an example of Rev. Langerak’s skill in this regard. Before I give the quotation I note that it is from a chapter entitled “Nike.” I note this as an example of how fresh and attention-grabbing (in a good sense) Rev. Langerak is in his exposition of scripture. Imagine how eager the young people of the congregation must have been to hear an explanation of why the sermon title is the brand name of a well-known shoe company! But now the comforting quotation:

The chapter title is the Greek word for victory: nike. It is pronounced nee-kay. Nike means victory, and victory is winning.

Love wins. That is what love does. That is what the Bible says about love in the Song of Songs, the greatest song ever written, the song on love. “Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it” (Song 8:6). This is the Old Testament parallel to the apostle’s teaching in his ode to love in 1 Corinthians 13, where he says in verse 13 that love abides. Love abides through the fall, through all of history, through the cross, through all sins, through death and the grave, through the end of the world, and through all the endless years of eternity (emphasis added). God will never tire of his people in eternity. Love abides.

Abiding, love wins. Nike.

Non-Protestant Reformed readers may find some subjects Rev. Langerak references to be unfamiliar. They will almost certainly find sections that challenge their beliefs. Perhaps they will find Rev. Langerak’s tone off-putting in some instances. But the challenge for them will be to examine whether Rev. Langerak has accurately explained what the Spirit says to the churches. And if he has, regardless of tone, they must subject themselves and their beliefs to the word of God.

Protestant Reformed readers may also find that they do not agree with or even appreciate everything Rev. Langerak has to say. He does not shy from making sharp (some might say controversial) applications. He speaks with the conviction that he is expounding the truth of scripture and not bringing merely his own opinion. In some instances the reader may disagree. For example, I anticipate that some will challenge some of the things that he has to say about NAPARC. But let such a reader yet be thankful for this commentary for its stimulating instruction in doctrine and life and that overall the teachings of this book are in harmony with the “faith once delivered to the saints.” And let the focus not be on a few areas of disagreement but on the overall message to believe with all of one’s heart in Jesus Christ and so “walk in the way of love.”