Studies In the Acts of the Apostles by Brother Harry Whittaker is a major work, a companion volume to the author’s Studies in the Gospels (reviewed in The Testimony, November 1984, and now unfortunately out of print). Printed and bound in the same most attractive and usable format, the book is ideal simply for enjoyable reading or for profitable study reference.
Like Studies in the Gospels it is divided into short ‘topic-related’ chapters, with much of the detail relegated to pithy footnotes, and is written in the author’s favourite punchy style. With an estimated quarter-of-a-million words the book is not just a monument to the author’s productivity but a genuinely helpful approach to the well-known but little-studied text of Luke’s enormously important ‘second book’. Supported by four appendices and a helpful index, the book not only comprehensively fills a yawning gap in Christadelphian literature, but also usefully incorporates the best of Rackham’s Acts, used by a generation of Bible students and readily acknowledged by the author as a frequent aid for his own study of the Bible text.
Though not all the interpretations advanced will command assent (for example, the author’s ‘deferment’ theory, applied to Acts 2:38,39) there is much that the reader will find stimulating and fresh. Thus, his treatment of Paul’s defence before Agrippa makes for thrilling reading. Another of many such examples is his sensitive treatment of the raising of Dorcas. He sees her case as a symbolic miracle, and by various Gentile connections, and the parallel with Jesus’ s raising of the daughter ofJairus (Mk. 5), he is led to suggest that Dorcas was a sympathising Gentile not yet fully admitted to the believers’ community.
Often the author’s vivid style depends upon his reading between the lines in the text of Acts, and sometimes the use of a little speculation is recognised by the author himself. His suggestion that Luke had a Samaritan origin is one of these. As with all publications of this kind, the reader should make his own careful assessment to the best of his ability. Even if in some places this may lead him to the conclusion that there is insufficient evidence for the ideas advanced, it will often be offset by the advantage of provoking detailed investigation, and result in a better appreciation of the arguments and Scripture.
There are a very few places where one must sound a warning note. The suggestion ( in Appendix 2) that the gift of tongues was merely inspired memory of Scripture or liturgy, previously heard recited in synagogue or temple services, seems to take much away from the witnessing purpose of the gift. In the form suggested by the author the gift would appear to the public merely as a very good memory for recitations, something which many a normal man in the East might have had.
In the life of Lydia, “whose heart the Lord opened”, the author sees a “divine influence” which caused her to give heed to Paul’s teaching, or an “unperceived guidance” from God, so that there was eager attention to the message. Opening of the heart means more than merely persuading Lydia to listen physically to Paul. Rather it has to do with acceptance in belief from the heart. That being so, a Divine influence applied internally to produce this effect would imply a loss of free will, would be a denial of the meaning of faith, and is not compatible with other Scripture which teaches that faith comes by hearing (Rom. 10:14,17). The commission given to Paul was to open men’s eyes that they might be sanctified by faith (Acts 26:18). This he performed through his message. But the message is the Lord’s, and by that message God works to open eyes.
If, however, the author intends to say that the opening of her heart refers to the giving of, not faith, but a more receptive mind by eliminating prejudicial feelings, ideas and beliefs, then of course it is true that the circumstances of our lives are guided by God ( a guidance which may be unperceived) to put us in the way of receiving the message, or giving us a more receptive frame of mind. But to imply that this is done by internal influence, even if not as extreme a view as the one mentioned above, still suggests a dangerous loss of free will. Further, nowhere does Acts 16 mention an internal influence of that kind; it has to be read into it.
In spite of these criticisms, the overall effect of this book is to make the Acts of the Apostles live again where frequent reading may have blunted its interest for us. Studies in the Acts of the Apostles is a book few serious Bible readers will wish to be without.
Review of “The Early Earth” by John Whitcomb (1972)