The studies have been
prepared for seriously minded persons, those who wish to study
Biblical themes. Primarily they are for those who wish to extend
their knowledge of the themes treated. Secondarily they are for
use in group studies, or as the basis for an expanded series
under the same title. In fact many churches, fellowships and
groups have used them in these ways.
The materials contained
in the studies have been ferreted out from the Scriptures with
the usual aids of concordance, Bible Dictionaries and encyclopaedia.
In some cases other bibliography has been used. The general Bibliography
of resources is given below in this Foreword.
The
Studies and Their Thrust
The writer is frankly
an evangelical, and of the conservative theological school. This
does not mean he does not appreciate other viewpoints than that
of his own. Theology must have recourse to comparative resources.
Hence the difficulty in these studies of a reader pinpointing
the view, often, of the writer. Paul has told us, 'All things
are yours.' He says some limit themselves to Paul, or Apollos
or Cephas, thus turning a good viewpoint into a sectarian principle
and practice. Paul, Peter and Apollos all belong to all God's
people. God's people, likewise, belong to them all. Also we are
Christ's and Christ is God's. There is a wide range of good Biblical
theology and we ought to appreciate those who differ from us,
as also those who do not. Excepting heresy we ought to gain from
the insights of all.
The fifty studies contained
in this series will be complemented by further studies.
See
tables on this page