DE OUDERDOM DER AARDE. (The Age of the Earth), by Dr. G.J. Sizoo e.a. Published by J.H. Kok, N. V. Kampen, the Netherlands. Price f.2.90.

One who is interested to learn on the basis of what arguments science concludes that the earth is millions and even billions of years old, will do well to read this book but—critically. The authors all confess to believe the biblical account of the creation of the world. In this book, however, they do not proceed from it, but only from the viewpoint of science.

We do not accept their conclusions for several reasons, such as:

1.  Exegetically, it is absurd to interpret the days of Gen. 1 as long periods.
2. Science cannot draw conclusions from the present condition of the earth, which lies under the curse, to that of the original creation.
3. The history of man, concentrating around the rev­elation of Jesus Christ, is comparatively recent. God does not build a thousand story basement with a one story structure on top.
4.  I do not pretend to be able to solve the problems of science but the flood and the fact that the first world was “standing in the water and out of the water” may well be taken into account. Etc., etc.

H.H.

HET EVANGELIE IN EEN ONTKERSTENDE WERELD (The Gospel in an Alienated or Unchristian World), by Dr. G. Brillenburg Wurth and Rev. W.A. Wiersinga. Published by J.H. Kok, N.V. Kampen, the Netherlands. Price f 8.90.

This is preeminently a Dutch book. It describes the movement of evangelization as supported by the Reformed

Churches in the Netherlands and, at the same time, devel­ops some of the principles upon which the work of evan­gelization is supposed to be based.

The book is clearly written. No one that still can read the Holland language will have any difficulty to read it.

Personally, I am afraid that, if I were still in the Netherlands, I would not be an enthusiastic supporter of this movement of evangelization. I rather share the objections that are mentioned in this book and the removal of which is attempted but, to my mind, does not succeed very well. Besides, I would have more principal objections of my own. After all, “evangelization” is preaching of the gospel, and that belongs to the Church as institute and not to every member. I am afraid that if anyone that is not called assumes to “preach,” even to a crowd on the street, the Word is without power. True, every believer has the calling to witness of God and His Christ, but that is something quite different from “evangelization.” I am afraid, too, that by this method of “preaching” people are drawn into the church without first being thoroughly indoctrinated, and the Reformed churches will suffer the consequences.

H.H.