Evaluating Bultmann On The Gospel And Myth
Gospel and Myth in the Thought of Rudolph Bultmann, by Giovanni Miegge (John Knox Press, 1960, 152 pp., $4), is reviewed by William Childs Robinson, Professor of Historical Theology, Columbia Theol. Sem.
Professor Miegge of the Waldensian Faculty in Rome earlier placed us in his debt with his able study on The Virgin Mary. Now he has again enriched us with this sympathetic and yet critical study of the work of Rudolph Bultmann on the Gospel, as well as on his presentation of the alleged mythological elements in the Bible. Bishop Stephen Neill of England has rendered the Italian into clear English, and John Knox Press together with the London Lutterworth Press have done excellently in their publishing of the work.
Miegge recognizes that Bultmann is an evangelical scholar who magnifies the revelation of God’s love and mercy in the Cross of Christ as well as an apologete who seeks to make the Gospel relevant by presenting it in terms of current thought. In Bultmann’s construction the Jesus of history is resolved into the Christ of faith as the only Christ we can reach by way of the kerygma of the Gospel, and the objective historical importance of Christ is understood only in terms of the conviction he was able to inspire. Christ is the revealer of God, and he is that in his coming and particularly in his Cross.
According to Professor Miegge, “It is necessary to affirm, much more strongly than Bultmann finds himself able to do, the truth and objective reality of the historical and supra-historical event which is summed up in the name of Jesus Christ, the Crucified and Risen One; Christian faith stands or falls with the objective truth of these events. But it is also necessary clearly to recognize that Christian Faith is far more than the mere repetition of already known truths—it is a reliving of the event of Christ in our own personal existence here and now.” While we differ with Bultmann “the champion of the elimination of the mythological,” we must not forget Bultmann the apostle of decision on the level of existence.
We rejoice in the author’s fine use of the article directed against the use of myth in TWNT by Professor G. Staehlin, as well as the line by which he shows that myth as used by Bultmann has reference to God’s own act in Christ and in present encounter. We are still of the opinion that Staehlin’s is the preferable position, and that we can recognize the use of symbol and of phenomenal language in the Bible without bringing in the term myth which often means fable.
The magnificent hand atop the steeple of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Gibson, Mississippi, is a symbol pointing heavenward and using the language of appearance to direct the thoughts to God. It does not imply that the cultured members of that fine congregation nor their scholarly pastor are unaware that the finger points to different places in the sky as the earth revolves on its axis and travels around the sun.
Then we commend Miegge for raising the question as to whether Gnostic thought so antedates John, Paul, and the pre-Pauline kerygma (Phil. 2:5–11) as to provide the categories to describe the eschatological event. Certainly “the testimony of Ignatius, as well as that of the Odes of Solomon” (Bultmann, Das Evangelium des Johannes, s. 11–12) is from second century Christian documents. If such records show any borrowing they indicate that Gnosticism, at one stage, had taken over some Christian rags to cover its heathen nakedness. Professor Kleinknecht (TWNT. IV. 88–89) shows a fourfold difference between the Hellenistic logos speculation and the Prologue of John.
WILLIAM CHILDS ROBINSON
Nature Of Preaching
The Essential Nature of New Testament Preaching, by Robert H. Mounce (Eerdmans, 1960, 159 pp., $3.50), is reviewed by Cecil K. Thomas, Professor of Biblical Theology, The Graduate Seminary, Phillips University.
Mounce writes out of “a deep-seated conviction that the man in the pulpit occupies a position of unrivaled significance in the life and destiny of his fellow man” (p. 7). With this conviction he undertakes to discover the essential nature of the preaching of the New Testament Church. He deals with the Kerygma in the preaching of John, of Jesus, and of the preachers of the early church. The heart of this preaching he finds to be (1) a proclamation of the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus; (2) “The resultant evaluation of Jesus as both Lord and Christ”; and (3) “A summons to repent and receive forgiveness of sins” (p. 77). Mounce makes a careful evaluation of the position of C. H. Dodd, and examines the whole subject in the light of the New Testament and of contemporary scholarship. He arrives at the conclusion that such preaching is relevant today because in it men are confronted with the redemptive act of God in Christ and must make their fateful decision (pp. 153 ff.). The theology of Mounce is primarily conservative, but his treatment is sufficiently controversial to challenge both conservative and liberal into lively discussion with him. This is a book for every minister who takes seriously his role as preacher.
CECIL K. THOMAS
Bible Translation
God’s Word into English, by Dewey M. Beegle (Harper, 1960, $3.50), is reviewed by Samuel J. Schultz, Professor of Bible and Theology, Wheaton College (Illinois).
The author of God’s Word into English is to be commended for his interesting and vivid presentation of translation problems in the language of the laymen to whom this is addressed. The modern reader is made conscious of the difficulties confronting the translators by the use of biblical texts and their rendition in various versions. Archaisms and obscure translations need revision in the versions as languages change and more light from archaeological findings and philological studies clarify the original text of the Bible as transmitted to us.
Textual scholars would concur with the author that revisions are needed from time to time. Texts selected by him from the New Testament as well as the Old Testament clearly illustrate the need for revised translations. Changes in language, artistic styles for expressing the truth, new meanings of biblical words, alternate translations, and the matter of equivalence between the meaning of the Hebrew or Greek and the English translation—all these are vividly illustrated to make the modern reader conscious of the translation features which will enable him to understand God’s Word better.
Texts, used by the author to illustrate the problems, have been carefully selected, accurately presented and thoroughly treated by the author. Most textual scholars would concur with his observations regarding these passages. Based on the selected passages treated, the author makes some conclusions which are unfortunate for the layman who is not in a position to compare the various versions with the Greek or Hebrew. Beegle asserts that the RSV “usually alerts the reader by means of Cn footnotes. In such situations the reader is not forced to follow the text. He may always exercise his right to read the translation of the Masoretic text which is in the footnotes.” This may be true in the examples cited but not all scholars are of the opinion that the RSV “always” acquaints the reader with the Masoretic text in the Old Testament.
Neither is the layman informed about the references where the RSV emended or translated the text in such a way as to minimize or destroy the Messianic import. Messianic references are not included in the samples of passages used.
Today more than ever the layman needs a translation of the Bible which conveys to him as accurately as possible the text of the Hebrew and Greek for the Old and New Testaments, respectively. Footnotes should always indicate any textual departure. This represents the unfinished task of modern scholarship.
SAMUEL J. SCHULTZ
Pastor And Patient
Spiritual Therapy, by Young & Meiburg (Harper, 1960, 184 pp., $3.50), is reviewed by Leslie R. Beach, Associate Professor of Psychology, Whitworth College.
Here is a book that helps bridge the rapidly narrowing gap between the healing ministries of the medical profession and the clergy. Written in very readable style by two pastors who carry on their ministry at the North Carolina Baptist Hospital, it provides information and guidelines of value to all ministers dealing with the sick, and especially to theological students in pastoral care training and to hospital chaplains new to that form of ministry.
Richard K. Young and Albert L. Meiburg believe that man is body, mind and soul. Therefore the physician, psychiatrist, and minister by working together in their specialties can contribute best as a team to the healing of the whole man. Spiritual Therapy is primarily concerned with the relationship between pastor and patient but the authors constantly stress the importance of the minister’s cooperation with doctors and psychiatrists.
From the case illustrations, one could conclude that the chaplain may use exhortation, directive advice, moralizing, probes and even sarcasm and ridicule, all with equal success. The patients always make a remarkable recovery. While such special techniques seem, for the most part, to be employed with good judgment, it does make this reviewer uncomfortable that more therapeutic and somewhat less directive techniques are not highlighted for the novice in pastoral care of the sick. The generous use of cases adds much to the strength of this book. The inclusion of seemingly authoritative medical information regarding various ailments is valuable.
All in all, the authors of Spiritual Therapy seem to have contributed significantly to the realization of their own expressed hope that minister-doctor cooperation will continue to improve and that their type of approach will serve “to push forward the effort to release more of religion’s creative and curative powers in the lives of distressed people.”
LESLIE R. BEACH
Data On Evolution
Why We Believe in Creation, Not in Evolution, by Fred John Meldau (Christian Victory Publishing Company, 1959, 348 pp., $3.75), is reviewed by E. P. Schulze, Minister of the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Peekskill, New York.
There is a considerable library of scholarly books by scientists, professional and amateur, pointing to the improbabilities and fallacies of the theories of evolution. A handy compendium such as this, however, will serve to make relevant information readily available in a classified, documented, and indexed form, plus a useful bibliography.
The book is sprightly, packed with interesting facts, but devoted primarily to the biological aspects of the subject. One chapter is devoted to the earth, another is assigned to cosmic matters, but geology as a study is scarcely mentioned. One misses, too, a discussion of the radioactive elements and of carbon-14. The omissions are understandable, however, in view of the author’s expressed opinion, “The Bible clearly teaches that ‘in the beginning’ God created the universe (Gen. 1:1; John 1:1–3), and that far-off date may have been ‘five billion’ years I ago, more or less.” Thus the geologic eras per se, the “uranium time clock” and the radioactive carbon method of dating organic materials do not trouble him as they do some other creationists.
In spite of limitations, Meldau’s fascinating book will make a worthy and valuable addition to any pastor’s working library.
E. P. SCHULZE
Toward Clarification
Evolution and Christian Thought Today, edited by Russell L. Mixter (Eerdmans, 1959, 224 pp., plates, $4.50), is reviewed by Thomas H. Leith, Chairman, Division of Science and Mathematics, Gordon College.
“We believe that God has created life—why should we not be interested in how he created it?” (p. 70).
“It is not enough for one to raise objections to evolution, sound as they might be, but one must offer even more sound creationist possibilities to put in its place” (p. 32).
“Those who want to see no design and no Creator can easily do so, while those who look for design in nature can just as easily find it” (p. 122).
The above quotations express rather well the spirit behind this fine contribution to the Darwin centenary by 13 members of the American Scientific Affiliation, an organization of Christian scientists. Too much literature on evolution has been either misinformed or unfair: it is refreshing to find a book both authoritative and reasonable. The first quote typifies the text, since specialists carefully scrutinize pertinent fields of biology and geology as areas of God’s natural revelation so as to find what current research and theory have to show us about how life originated and developed.
The second quote exemplifies a twofold problem. First, in some circles biological theory has been confused with theological, political, ethical, and social theses illogically connected to it in a century of human thought. Repelled by such theses, these persons have ignored or debased the quite legitimate function of theory construction in science so as to integrate what is known and suggest implications for future experimenting. Secondly, they forget that no theory is given up by scientists until a more adequate theory (for scientific purposes) comes along, and Christians have not readily presented such alternatives. In this volume attempts are made by different writers, stressing one or the other of these problems, to resolve the respective difficulties at least in part. Some are willing to accept evolution as does their non-Christian colleagues, but they see it not as implying such things as atheism, Marxism, or naturalism but as consistent with a theistic starting point. Others prefer to present alternative theories allowed by present data wherein God acts creatively in a unique manner at times.
The third quote reveals the crux of the decision necessary here. Christians must see the hand of God in nature. But the rub lies in that we should do this not on scholastic arguments from design as in natural theology but because God has first spoken. The belief in God is prior and axiomatic, not discovered a posteriori. If then we believe in God and seek to find his hand in nature, does Scripture, biology, geology, and anthropology best show it in His continued providence (some form of theistic evolution perhaps) or in special creative activities (some form of progressive creation) with some measure of evolution between these?
As one reads carefully the articles on Darwin’s influence in biology, on the origin of life, genetics, hybridization, speciation, ecology, fossils, physical anthropology, and theology and evolution, he sees what varied attitudes and perspectives are currently held by scientists and philosophers who are conservative in theology. Every Christian who desires to be informed in such an important and influential area of thought, as a century has proven it tobe, cannot afford to fail to read this book. Nor should anyone miss it who thinks science provides objections to Christian belief or that a Christian cannot be a reputable science scholar.
To my mind this book should go alongside Jan Lever’s Creation and Evolution (International Publications, 1958) as essential sources in the library of the educated Christian.
THOMAS H. LEITH
Church Administration
A Ministering Church, by Gaines S. Dobbins (Broadman, 1960, 231 pp., $3.95), is reviewed by Sam A. High, Secretary, Training Union and Student Union Department, Maryland Baptist Union Assoc.
This is one of the best books on Church Administration that I have seen. It is really a guide to the meaning and dynamics of the Church Administrative Process. The age in which we live makes many demands upon the pastor. In addition to preaching and teaching, the present day pastor must also know how to be an administrator. Dr. Dobbins sees this as the heart of the pastor’s work.
The book begins with a chapter on what a church is for. The fact that a church needs many ministers is discussed. Then there is a helpful chapter which brings home to us what we already know, that ministers must be administrators. Most of the division in churches comes about because of lack of administration, and the problem cannot be solved by preaching.
The organizational life of the church is discussed. “The teaching church calls for elaborate organization of the congregation,” says Dr. Dobbins. The church is considered as a school, not just a “Sunday School.” Teaching, training, and worshipping all take place in the New Testament Church.
Qualifications of the church staff are well presented. Church-staff relationships involving matters such as the causes of tensions among staff members, when a staff member should resign, when he should not resign; and a parable for staff members are all discussed.
Music, stewardship, counseling, and evangelism are strongly emphasized.
The book is a first-class piece of work and worthy of study by every pastor. Ministers of education and music, as well as various age group workers, will also find much help in this book.
SAM A. HIGH
Christian Culture
Response in Worship—Music—the Arts, edited by Walter E. Buszin and a staff of 11 assistants. This is a new magazine, and it contains 46 pages, 8″ × 10½″ in size, the subscription is $1.75 per year, and sample copies are $1.
This number contains articles on Christian worship, liturgy, church literature, hymnody—and editorial comment. There are 12 illustrations, three of which are full-page plates. It is set in what appears to be one of the dozen versions of Times Roman, a most attractive face. The church buildings illustrated are decidedly modern. The essays are more conservative, and there is no evidence that the reader is to be given articles in praise of such musical idols as Hindemith, Schoenberg, Messiaen, Mihaud, and Ives. The circulation manager is Mr. Gerhard Cartford (2375 Como Avenue, St. Paul 8, Minnesota).
The mortality rate of such magazines is high. Even Mr. R. A. Cram’s rather lavish Magazine of Christian Art came to an end after 21 issues. Today a complete set brings as much as $400 at book auctions. Let us hope that Response may have length of life.
F. R. WEBBER
