The Carpenter of Zerbst by P.

d.e Zeeuw, Pro Ecclesia Publishers

P.O, Box 189 Kelmscott, Western
Australia 6111 79pp. pbk.
Available in the u.S. from
Inheritance Publications Box 366
Pella, Iowa 50219. Ph. 1 (800)
249-2945.
During the Reformation, the
Maehler family faces great
opposition and trial because of its
stand in'support of Martin Luther
and his biblical beliefs. They are
ultimately kicked out of the town
left without emplo0nent or
living quarters.
God's kirtd providence is clearly
shown in His tender mercy on this
farnilY. Their evidence of true
forgiveness is tested when life is
going well for them.
This book is written for
children 6 8 years and older. In it
they will be introduced to several
of Luther:s 95 Theses, to John
Tetzel aQd Luther himself. Readers
will learn. qf the costs that can
come from following Christ and '
also the joy that rernains eveti in
temporal persecution. Q .
Understanding the Land of
the Bible: A Bibiical theological
GiIide by O. Palmer Robertson. P
&: R Publishing, P.O. BoX 817,
PhUlipsburg, N.J. 08865 c. 1996,
158 pp. with indices, pbk. ' .
Dr. Robertson's work exalts ..
God's Wisdom lls the author cleatly
shows the urtiquenessand the
importance of Israel';; location for
the spreading of the Gospel.
The author provides the reader
with an overview of the land, then
more specifically he examines the
regions, the mountains and rivers
and then' the cities and their
importance at varioUs points of
biblical history. John D. Currtd 'a
professor at Reformed Theologi;"l , .
Seminary in Jackson, Ms., authOred
the chapter on "Climate arid
Vegetation". This book brings .
many of the Biblical events into
clearer .focus. For example, Dr.
Rol;>ertson notes the importance of
Mount Moriah throughout biblical
historY. It was there that God
commanded Abraham to offer his
only son and then graciously
prOvided a substitute. Its
importance is ongoing. "For here in
the locale of Mount Moriah at
Jerusalem, David offers his atoning
sacrifice to stay the consuming ..
wrath of God (I Chron. 21:25,26); "
here Solomon builds his glOriOUS
temple so that perpetual sacrifices
may be offered to the Lord across
the centuries (2 Chron. 3: 1); artd
here eventually the Lamb of God .
that takes away the sin.of the world
the body that God has
prepared fot him as a sacrifice to
be offered ortce' for sin (Heb.
10:5).' .(p. 71).. Insights such as
these are througholit the book.
Thus one (particularly whQ has .';ot
visited Israel) gauis a more de;.r .
insight to topographiCal featur; ,
their relationship to each other and .
how God used these areas for the
working out ofBis perfect plan:.
Numerous rnaps are an additiortal
asSet. Dr. Robertsort',; approach is ..
not to see Israel as ,the rnostholy of .
. corretlrpoints ow that.
land can be. holy wherever God is ' '
worshipped throt!gh Jesus Christ'
Thus the. book's concluding c :-
chapter is very helpful. Therein he
examines five current perspectives
regarding how Israel should be
viewed. He briefly each
perspective from the Bible. This
volume is very readable,
inf0ffi'!ativeand helpful, It is
. ' " ,
20 t tHE. C()UNSE.L of Chalcedon t February, 1997
an asset in church libraries and
homes of people. that desire a
better understanding of God's use
of the land of Israel in biblical
times.il .
Sing to the Lord: The
Children of Asaplr Siilg the
Psalms of David on the Tunes of
John Calv4I. Chl,lrcb Music and
Records Box 154 Neerlandia
Alberta, Canada TOG iRO. "
Available in the u.S. from
Inheritlmce Publications P .'0. Box
366, 'Pella,'lowa 50219. Phone and
Fax (515) 628-3804. (Available as
cassette tape or Co). - .
The Children of Asaph is a .
small children's choir that was
fanned to sing psalms and hymns
to God's glory. This recording
allows a larger audience to
appreciate their labors a/1d join
with them in the praise of our
triune God. The entire of
thirteen selections {inainly vocal
but including two .instrumentalS)
lasts almost an hour. The listener
can marvel anew at the varied gifts
God gave' Calvin as one hears these
psalms sung to the tuneS of Calvin.
There is a ridiness and depth in
these selections that is too often
missing in contemp9rary
music. :rhe selections exude a
confidence in an Almighty God
and thanksgiving in His viCtorious
deliverahces. Psalter selections
include: 42,116, and 121.
Instrumental accompiament
includes flute, violfrl, cello and
organ: Once again
l
Church Music
and RecoIdshas 'provided the
listener with to
hear enduring psalms .S1Jl'g and __
played with 'meaning and ;. quiet, '
sure confidence. HoPefully this
recdrding will be widely purchased
and used in the lives of many for
the people
more an,l .rnOr.eunto His glory .. Q
. . .. , , .' " .