Albert L. Meiburg

Book Review: Pastoral PreachingPastoral Preaching. By MacLennanDavid A.Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1955. 157 pages.

about preaching in the rural churches. In this book Edward K. Ziegler gives us a worthy discussion of the challenge, opportunities, and resources for the rural preacher. The author, whose father before him was a rural preacher, writes out of his own experience as a pastor in rural areas of India as well as the United States. He is, therefore, well aware that the need for an adequate rural ministry is a worldwide need. He tends to deal with the universals of rural life. The author shows an awareness of some of the contemporary sociological problems of rural ministry, but his sources tend to be dated at this point. For example, his bibliography on rural life cites no sources which make use of the 1950 census. This no doubt reflects the probability that the manuscript has been sometime in preparation. The author infers this in his preface. However, this time of preparation has resulted in a work which shows refined understanding and clear, direct style. There are two recurring notes in the book. The first is that there are some special applications of the Gospel to rural life. The second is that in his preaching the rural pastor must make contact with his people where they are. The readability and significance of this book commend it as a helpful manual of encouragement and guidance for the rural minister. The publishers are to be commended for pricing it within the reach of the country preacher. It deserves wide circulation and would make an excellent text for pastors institutes, and short courses. Albert L. Meiburg

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The author writes from a wide knowledge of the sources, which he has effectively analyzed and related. He writes with the imprimatur of Roman Catholic authorities, and one can tell that such is the case when reading the book. At the same time, Hughes is as fair as his infallibly established presuppositions permit and the book is very useful. One can certainly be grateful that a choice of Christian alignment does not lie solely between either the establishment of Henry VIII or that of Mary the Catholic. Macmillan has published the book in attractive format, and, with the author, has included thirty-one interesting plates (pictures, manuscript facsimiles, etc.). This is one of the important books on its subject. T. D. Price

Book Review: The Hour of Insight: A Sequel to Moments of Personal DiscoveryThe Hour of Insight: A Sequel to Moments of Personal Discovery. By MacIverR. M., New York: Harper & Brothers, 1954. 145 pages.

The author summarizes the arguments and evidence pro and con at the ends of the various chapters or parts. The work has the merit of presenting the factual data in a fair manner. The author concludes that the history of the idea is an argument against its dogmatic formulation. It is a solid contribution especially to early church history. The industrious student will find much to instruct him, and the convinced evangelical will find much to reassure him-while at the same time both can become more understanding, and therefore more charitable, toward those with whom we do radically differ on this point. T. D. Price

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More recently, however, an increasing number of Christian educators, rethinking the bases and tasks of Christian education have been seeking to bring together a sound methodology based upon psychological and social principles, and the traditional message of the Christian faith. The present concern is that Christian education make its task that of finding and utilizing the most effective means to help persons to know and exemplify in life the historic recorded Christian message of the Bible. In just such a perspective this book has been written. Dr. Wyckoff continues to hold the principles of pupil-centeredness and selectivity as vitally important, but he re-emphasizes the necessity for teaching the content of the Christian faith, without which there can be no truly Christian education. The books context is the local church, and Dr. Wyckoff deals with the task of Christian education as it is related to aiding persons in the development of the life in Christ and the transformation of personality. He discusses the function of curriculum, the use of methods, and the placing of responsibility for accomplishing the task. It is true that Dr. Wyckoff reiterates much of what many others have said and are saying, but he does it briefly, concisely, and clearly and thus makes a contribution to present thinking in the field of Religious Education. All who are concerned with the task of Christian education in the local church will find this a helpful as well as a very readable book. S. P. Landry, Jr.

Book Review: The Origins and History of ConsciousnessThe Origins and History of Consciousness. By NeumannErich, translated by HullR.F.C., New York: Pantheon Books, Inc., 1954. 493 pages.

Here is material to which the minister may turn for literary companionship as he struggles with the problems of his own personhood. The author, whose background is that of a college president and teacher as well as that of a preacher, has given this material as lectures to ministers. Perhaps the previous oral delivery explains the somewhat disconcerting style. The short and abrupt sentences may have seemed much different in oral delivery, but they make bumpy reading. A little more variety in sentence structure would have made this book easier to read.