Book Review
Stand Up In Praise To God — Sermons on the Trinity, by Paul S. Rees. Wm. B. Erdmans Publishing Co., $2.00.
Books of sermons are many; good books of useful sermons make an appearance but seldom. This attractive little volume by Rees contains ten sermons on the Persons of the Godhead, all of which are, to varying degrees, useful. The Christian by reading these sermons may have his faith increased, his devotion excited, and a number of troublesome questions answered. The preacher will find here specimens of good preaching to enrich his style and language. Most preachers know the value of reading, next after the Bible, books of sermons. Many of us would do better by laying aside our books of sermon outlines and familiarizing ourselves with the best in sermonic literature. This one, "Stand Up In Praise To God" could well be included.
Here are ten full length sermons: Three each on the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; one "To The Great One In Three," which is a discussion of the scriptural doctrine of the Godhead. I cannot say that all of his remarks in every chapter are sound, but they are definitely thoughtful. As the author says, "They are attempts to say things neither novel nor profound, but rather relevant and helpful, about the utterly great God who speaks within and lives above every page of Holy Scripture." I should say the author accomplishes his purpose, and may be more profound than he gives himself credit for being.
The first sermon in the book, using Isa. 57:15 as a text, is a fine example of expository preaching at its best. All of the sermons are basically expository in form. Number five, "Crown Him With Many Crowns," concerns the Lordship of Christ. His Lordship is shown by (a) His revelation of truth (b) His redemption by atonement (c) His memorial ordinances (d) His rule over life (e) His return in glory. Sermon number nine (which deals largely with evangelism) is introduced with these words: "If there is anything that completely misses the nature and spirit of the gospel, it is the idea that this good news of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord can be kept bottled up — bottled up in somebody's cozy soul, bottled up in somebody's sectarian group, bottled up in somebody's already gospel-privileged country." In the last sermon (on the Trinity) the difficulty of three in one is discussed and the futility of speculation is shown. The author illustrates by the human emotion love: "The human experience of love is not less real because it holds at its heart a mystery that turns mathematics into mockery. A mother, for example, has three sons. She writes: a letter to each of them. She ends each letter by saying, 'I love you with all my love l' And she means it. Let a mathematician try to square that I"
Members of the body of Christ will not agree with all that is presented, but it is worthy of study, and worthy of a place on your bookshelf. The book is recommended. You can order it from the Gospel Guardian, P. O.Box 980, Lufkin, Texas