Commentaries seem to be an obsession of Christian pastors. This obsession has been witnessed in a history of pastors and theologians writing commentaries on commentaries. A classic medieval example of this was the tradition of writing a commentary on Peter Lombard’s The Sentences (for which, Thomas Aquinas become popular). In many cases, that was the way for one to be recognized as a reliable “doctor” of Christianity.
But, it hasn’t only been the medievals who adopted this tradition. It was also those in the Post-Reformation era. One of the more popular—and controversial—was Thomas Boston’s notes on Edward Fisher’s classic The Marrow of Modern Divinity. Not only was Fisher’s work a classic but Boston’s notes have become a classic as well.
After Boston’s time, we saw C.S. Lewis write his profound preface to Athanasius’s book On The Incarnation. Even in more recent times we have met with delight in reading J.I. Packer’s foreword to John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Personally, whenever I see Packer, Sinclair Ferguson, Joel Beeke, or Carl Trueman write a foreword to a book it is almost a guarantee that I will buy that book. Sometimes these forewords or introductions are so good on their own that you are buying two great works for the price of one.
A Humble Disclaimer
Let me be clear: I am no Boston, Lewis, Packer, Ferguson, Beeke, or Trueman. I am not even a worthy student of theirs. But, I do seek to build on that tradition—though in much smaller ways. In particular, I am wanting to do so with a book that is not as widely known. It is a work that arose in light of The Marrow Controversy (1718-1722)1 which involved men such as Thomas Boston, James Hog, Ebenezer Erskine, and (Ebenezer’s brother) Ralph Erskine. It is that last name who wrote a work of underrated significance. At least it has been underrated in our time.
In Ralph Erskine’s book Gospel Sonnets or Spiritual Songs, we see a heartwarming and theologically-informing work of poetry. It is heartwarming because it is pastoral in tone and wisdom. It is theologically-informing because its content is theological.
In my opinion, it stands in the great tradition of the “casuistry”. The casuistry was a type of genre in pastoral writings where one would address cases of conscience. It was counseling, discipleship, and application of doctrine. One can label Erskine’s work as a type of “poetic casuistry” because he deals with so many different cases of people yet in the form of simple poetry.
With this combination we come across a work that not only teaches but teaches memorably and affectionately. This makes Erskine not only beneficial for the individual Christian but also for pastors to learn how to communicate the gospel with their people.
The Purpose of This Work
I don’t intend to have this published (mainly because I’m not sure it would have a wide-enough reading nor am I necessarily the one people would respect most in this endeavor)2. But, I am seeking to work through this for myself and hopefully bless one or two of you in the process. This is selfish in some ways but I hope my “selfishness” might bring benefit to a couple of others. It will take some time to get through all the poems in this great work. Because of this I would encourage you to purchase a copy of the book and slowly work through it for yourself. You might even make your own notes!
I do think that a book like this can be taught in a smaller group setting. It could make for fascinating discussion in reading groups. If one takes their own notes and comments on Erskine’s poetry it could become a very valuable resource for a local church.
In my humble opinion, while every book needs to be interacted with (as we will do with Erskine), going through a work like this is sure to mightily change people’s lives. There are reasons why some books are preserved and re-published through many years. I believe Gospel Sonnets will change our preaching, teaching, discipleship, counseling, and personal devotions. I think it has the potential to change entire congregations, it not presbyteries.
In his endorsement of this edition of the reprint, Joel Beeke says, “Erskine’s poetry excels in certain areas, such as the interrelationship of law and gospel. It will enhance your knowledge of God’s Word, imbue your theology with discernment and warmth, and move you to worship the triune God with doxological praise.”3 With that endorsement, I think it’s well worth the endeavor to dive more deeply into these “spiritual songs”.
With that said, get ready to see several posts over the next several months giving a type of “commentary” on Ralph Erskine’s Gospel Sonnets.
There was more build-up to this and fall-out from it but these are the more strict dates of the Controversy. For some great works giving the historical context see: The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson, The Marrow Controversy and Seceder Tradition by William VanDoodewaard, From the Marrow Men to the Moderates by Donald Macleod, Scottish Theology by John Macleod.
I do think there could be some out there who could attract a solid publisher for this work. And, I think it would be a worthy endeavor that might bring another “marrow revival”. In our age of Christian Nationalism, Woke Church, Social Justice movement, and types of psychotherapeutic treatment that greatly err from Scriptural truth, it is probably high time that we solidify again what the gospel is and what it is not. It is also high time that we greatly remind Christians what is the power of God for conversion and all stages of sanctification (Rom. 1:16-17).
On the back cover of Gospel Sonnets (Solid Ground Christian Books) by Ralph Erskine, edited by Dr. Mike Renihan.