‘While the Bridegroom Tarries is a book of sermons by one of the clearest and interesting of preachers in the USA in the 20th century, R.B. Kuiper was the professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary in the years before his retirement. This is a collection of sermons which he preached after the First World War when eschatological speculation about the return of Christ was rampant. What does the Bible teach about the end times and how is it related to Christians today? This is such a good place to begin.’ — GEOFF THOMAS

‘Many Christians today are troubled by rapid changes occurring through international affairs and their own nations’ political transformation. In Kuiper’s day as in ours Christians were finding it difficult to assess disturbing news (or signs) of their times. R. B. Kuiper preached a series of sermons published in 1919, the year the ‘First World War’ ended. Banner of Truth has republished these important sermons under the title While the Bridegroom Tarries. Dr. Kuiper’s aim is to lead Christians to hopeful optimism as we experience dark events of ‘the latter days’.’ — WALTER J. CHANTRY

Book Description

Living in the light of Christ’s return is the duty of every generation of Christians. But, as Christ’s parable in Matthew 25:1-13 warns us, all face the danger of falling asleep on watch: ‘While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept’ (Matt. 25:5). For that reason, everything calculated to keep us spiritually awake should be prized. R. B. Kuiper’s sermons reprinted in this volume were intended to help Christians live in readiness for Christ’s coming. Preached just after the First World War, at a time of considerable optimism for human progress, as well as intense speculation about the ‘signs of the times’, they bear strong and forthright testimony against the dangers of theological modernism and other anti-christian ideas, and for the supernaturalism of faith. They are a call for the preaching of the gospel to all nations and an eloquent appeal for Christian activity ‘while the bridegroom tarries’.

Kuiper was concerned lest speculative millenarian ideas should obscure the great theme of Christ’s return, but even those who differ from him in their understanding of biblical prophecy will benefit from his clear call to Christian readiness. Here is a timely reminder that wars and disasters here below point to the onward match of the purposes of God and bring us ever nearer to the great consummation of all Christian hopes.

Review

• Review by Alan Hill

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Book Description

‘Glorious’ is probably the last adjective most modern writers would use to describe the Christian Church. Yet R. B. Kuiper chose his title, The Glorious Body of Christ, advisedly, for he wished to emphasize what he believed to be a sadly neglected aspect of the subject, that the Church of Christ is glorious.

Dr. Kuiper, who died in 1966, was for many decades a teacher of theology, and his great concern was for the popular presentation of Christian doctrine. His own books went far to meet that need, including his God-Centred Evangelism (also published by the Trust) and For Whom Did Christ Die? on the extent of the atonement.

In addition to his vigorous and clear style, Kuiper is also noted for the comprehensive way in which he treats his subject. The Glorious Body contains no less than fifty-three chapters, and among the aspects of the subject dealt with are unity, the marks of the Church, the offices of the Church, its responsibilities and privileges, and the Church and the world.

Although this book is worthy of the widest possible circulation, it may be particularly commended as a manual for office-bearers in the Church.

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‘Here’, writes John Murray, ‘we have the theology of evangelism, and evangelism without scriptural theology has lost its moorings. R. B. Kuiper’s writing, as his preaching and lecturing, was always characterized by clarity and simplicity’. The book begins with God as the author of evangelism, and shows the relation of his love, election, covenant and commission to it. There are chapters on scope, urgency, motive, aim, agent, approach, means, message, method, effectiveness and triumph of evangelism. Dr. Kuiper also deals with zeal for co-operation in, and resistance to evangelism. A student of B. B. Warfield, on whom he made a deep impression, Dr. Kuiper had a distinguished career in the pastoral and teaching ministry. He was a President of Calvin College and Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary.

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