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A Book Review As published in Truth Aflame January ~ March
2000 Have you ever wondered how Old Testament people were saved? Did you ever consider what God required of them? This book is a feast with lots of meat and potatoes to nourish you. Here is dessert too - but not whipped cream! This paperback of 188 pages is substantial food. The author, Pastor Bob Hill, is brilliant in content and style with eight topical chapters to begin the book and eight chapters on the "Circumcision" Epistles of the New Testament. Those who enjoy saving the dessert until last may want to read the last eight chapters first. The last chapters deal with the general Hebrew-Christian or Circumcision Books of the New Testament in order, Hebrews, James, First Peter (which he calls Third Peter), Second Peter, First John, Second and Third John, Revelation and Jude. The superb treatment rivals Pastor Art Sims work in his highly recommended "Distinctions That Matter." In a quick, informal count of words written with Greek letters (not counting transliterated words), one could observe more than 400 contained on pages 83 through 188 which are the last eight chapters of the book. Some will naturally be irked with so much Greek, but the serious student will value the precision of a seasoned scholar who has so much in contribute to us. The first eight chapters should make this book a classic among those who hold to Pauline Truth. Abraham, Moses, David, the covenants, circumcision and the little flock are presented in a theological context with only two major problems confronting my own faith. Pastor Hill asserts and makes his case that the OT saints did not have eternal security on pages 19, 88, 101, 126, 140, 142, and 152. He teaches that election is corporate instead of individual and personal (pages 140-141). If our brother persuades you regarding these doctrines, please remember that some of the greatest Pauline and pioneer dispensational theologians were moderate, Biblical Calvinists of great discernment. Included would be J. C. O'Hair, Charles F. Baker, C. R. Stam, E. W. B. Bullinger, John Nelson Darby, C.I. Scofield David Caslander, Harry Bultema, Ernest Campbell, and Lewis Sperry Chafer. May we who hold to "grace" doctrine always display "grace" attitudes when dealing with others of different persuasion! The highest excellencies await in chapter seven, "The Transition of Water Baptism," and chapter eight, "The Transition of Tongues and the Revelatory Gifts." The description of the Acts transition on pages 67-68 is magnificent and beautiful. Bob Hill's best writing compares favorably with some of Pastor Vernon Schutz" outstanding booklets. Perhaps the greatest challenge in our understanding will come from Pastor Hill's assertion of double justification. On page 112, you will confront the presentation that Abraham was justified by faith alone in Genesis 15, and justified by a faith-work in Genesis 22. Years ago I remember arguing this view to Pastor Wilbur Smith who graciously declined it. Although it is not to my personal conviction presently, the position of Abraham's double justification is reasonable and has merit. Every Christian should grapple with this very issue of Holy Scripture to gain insight into the work of God in receiving sinful man. Every Christian should read what Pastor Hill displays in this monumental book, but no Christian should sit in judgment on this book until he as wrestled with the Scriptural doctrine of justification (man's acceptance by God) and has read at least one or more of the classic works on this subject. Irefer to such books as The Doctrine of Justification by James Buchanan or The Everlasting Righteousness by Horatius Bonar. Pastor Bob Hill's book, The big Difference will stimulate the reader to delve more deeply into Scripture and the doctrines of Biblical Theology. With this noble achievement, this book will be worth tool in God's purposes for your faith and communion with the Lord.
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