The Discourse of Lucius of Cyrene
Page.
Messrs. Roberts Brothers’ Publications.
PHILOCHRISTUS:
MEMOIRS OF A DISCIPLE OF THE LORD.
From Harper’s Magazine.
“Philochristus” is a very unique book, both in its literary and its theological aspects. It purports to be the memoirs of a disciple of Jesus Christ, written ten years after the destruction of Jerusalem.... Artistically, the book is nearly faultless. In form a romance, it has not the faults which have rendered the Gospel romances such wretched works of art. It is characterized by simplicity in expression and by an air of historic genuineness.... Theologically, it is characteristic of the era. It belongs to no recognized school of theology. The critics do not know what to make of it. In this respect, it reminds one of “Ecce Homo.” It is not Orthodox,... yet he throughout recognizes Christ as in a true sense the manifestation of God in the flesh.... Those who are inclined to dread any presentation of the life and character of Christ which does not openly and clearly recognize the old philosophy respecting him will look on this book with suspicion, if not with aversion. Those who are ready to welcome fresh studies into this character will find a peculiar charm in this singular volume.
From the Contemporary Review.
The winning beauty of this book, and the fascinating power with which the subject of it appears to all English minds, will secure for it many readers. It is a work which ranks rather with “Ecce Homo” than with Canon Farrar’s “Life of Christ.” It is associated, indeed, with the former book by the dedication: “To the author of ‘Ecce Homo,’ not more in admiration of his writings than in gratitude for the suggestive influence of a long and intimate friendship.”
From the Christian Register.
Since “Ecce Homo,” no religious book has appeared which can be compared with “Philochristus” for its power to nourish and deepen the interest felt by multitudes in the life and spirit of Jesus of Nazareth.
The Bible for Learners.
By Dr. H. Oort, of Leyden, and Dr. I. Hooykaas,
Pastor at Rotterdam.
Translated from the Dutch by Rev. P.H. Wicksteed, of London.
“This work emanates from the Dutch school of theologians. Nowhere in Europe,” said the lamented J. J. Tayler, “has theological science assumed a bolder or more decisive tone [than in Holland]; though always within the limits of profound reverence, and an unenfeebled attachment to the divine essence of the gospel.... We know of no work done here which gives such evidence of solid scholarship joined to a deep and strong religious spirit. The ‘Bible for Young People’ should be the means to very many, both old and young, of a more satisfying idea of what Israel really was and did among the nations.”
ROBERTS BROTHERS, Boston.
Notes
296. For the importance attached to prophecy, see Irenæus (Against Heresies, ii. 4): “If, however, they maintain that the Lord performed such works simply in appearance, we shall refer them to the prophetical writings, and prove from these both that all things were thus predicted regarding Him, and did take place undoubtedly.” Justin Martyr also takes the same view, I. Apol., 30.
296. “Who shall declare his generation?” This passage is similarly applied by Justin Martyr, Dialogue, 63.
298. “He shall take away,” etc. So Justin (Dial., 77), “But now the prophecy has stated it with this addition: ‘Before the child knows how to call father or mother, he shall take the power of Damascus and spoils of Samaria.’ And you cannot prove that such a thing ever happened to any one among the Jews. But we are able to prove that it happened in the case of Christ.” And he then proceeds to interpret Damascus as referring to the Magi, and Assyria to Herod, as in the text.
299. “Behold a Man, the East is his name,” Zech. vi. 12, according to the Septuagint quoted by Justin, Dial., 106.
300. “He shall dwell in a cave,” etc.: quoted by Justin Martyr from the Septuagint version of Isaiah xxxiii. 16 (Dial., 70).
302. “The Lord God remembered his dead people of Israel,” etc. This passage is quoted by Justin Martyr (Dial., 72), who accuses the Jews of cancelling this and other passages of the Scriptures. It is also quoted by Irenæus (Against Heresies, iii. 20) as from Isaiah, and (ib. iv. 22) as from Jeremiah. But it is not found in our Scriptures.