A volume of essays written and presented to Dr. Allan A. MacRae by his former pupils on the occasion of his eighty-fourth birthday. The book concerns vital issues affecting the interpretation of the Bible and the understanding of certain historical problems. It comprises contributions by seventeen scholars (besides a few others), namely, R. Laird Harris, J. Robert Vannoy, Robert E. Longacre, Paul R. Gilchrist, Samuel J. Schultz, Elmer B. Smick, Robert A. Peterson, Robert C. Newman, W. Harold Mare. Vernon C. Grounds, Robert J. Dunzweiler, Gordon R. Lewis, William Paul, Wilber B. Wallis, Thomas V. Taylor, William N. Harding, and John M. L. Young.

In this collection of letters compiled by Dr. Quek Swee Hwa, Dr. MacRae writes on a wide range of topics. They include the JEDP Theory, Special Creation, Mormonism, baptism, eschatology, education and dispensationalism.

The letters in this volume were not written with any thought of publication. Every one of them was composed in response to a letter asking for clarification on some point of biblical interpretation, Christian belief or activity.     

Many discussions approach the book of Daniel with a rather complete theory of God's plan for the future, and endeavor to fit each of its prophecies into a predetermined viewpoint. The differing eschatological systems of the writers affect their interpretation at many points. The present writer has profited from insights found in these various books. Yet his present purpose is quite different.

That purpose is to concentrate on the exact phrases of Daniel's prophecies, trying to see how much or how little can properly be drawn from each of them while keeping references to other parts of Scripture to a minimum. We shall aim to see what can be determined with certainty about the meaning of each statement, to indicate the degree of support that various interpretations can claim, and to note points at which the careful student should reserve judgment. We shall utilize all the available linguistic, historical and archaeological material, and shall try to deal fully and carefully with each problem, but we shall endeavor to express the results of our investigation in language that can be understood by any educated layman.

"Dr. Allan MacRae's scholarly work on the Prophecies of Daniel reflects his typical in-depth study of God's Word, and especially the Old Testament. His work on Daniel provides rewarding insight and illumination into those areas of exegesis that are too frequently treated lightly or avoided altogether. His characteristic probing of scriptural passages is seen in his treatment of the expression 'Son of Man' in Daniel Chapter 7.

Dr. MacRae's work will be of special interest and geat value to all those who have wrested with the much debated passages in Daniel."

THE PURPOSE of this treatment of Isaiah 40:1-56:8 is to examine its great themes and to study their interrelations. It is hoped that the work will be useful to ministers and to other Bible students, whether they have knowledge of the original languages or not.

The book is not intended to be a commentary on this section of Isaiah. There are a number of good commentaries, written from various viewpoints, that contain helpful discussions of particular words and phrases. The main purpose of this writing is to open up the treasures of this section of the book by showing the interrelation of the thoughts and the general progress of the ideas presented.

"Dr. MacRae has carried on the tradition of Robert Dick Wilson. His scholarship has helped countless young men and women to understand the weaknesses of liberal theology's view of the Bible. He has stood, and stands, for the Bible as with out error in all areas: that is, in history and the things of interest to science as well as in religious matters. This, of course, bears directly on the consideration of the book of Isaiah. Dr. MacRae's deep knowledge of the cognate Semitic languages, as well as Hebrew, provides a base for a study in depth. This has never been more needed than in the present confusion in the Christian, and even evangelical, world."

Even a casual reader of the Old Testament is immediately conscious of a great change in literary style when he reaches the book of Isaiah. It is almost like going from Mexico into the United States. A similar difference is found when one gets to the end of Isaiah and begins to read Jeremiah.

Jeremiah presents ideas in fairly simple language, but Isaiah reiterates his thoughts in similes and metaphors, and employs many interesting and beautiful turns of expression. He is not content with describing his sorrow; he laments in poetic language. When he comes to passages of joy, he sings great songs of rejoicing.

Isaiah has a style all his own-a style is so unique that it is easy to distinguish it from other parts of Scripture. This is one reason why it is extremely unlikely that the view of the "higher critics" is true, that the book of Isaiah was written by two or more men. Some have even suggested that as many as thirty or forty writers may have written parts of the book, but it would be extremely improbable that a number of people would write in such a unified style.     

Framcos A. Schaeffer

Edith Schaeffer

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