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Book Reviews of : Discovering Christ In The Song Of Solomon
FROM:ENGLISH CHURCHMAN DATE: 26 MAY &2 JUNE 06
Discovering Christ in the Song of Solomon
Don Fortner
Evangelical Press; 2005; lg.pbk. $12.00; 250pp; ISBN 085-234-581X
There are a number of writings of this author which already grace the Christian bookshelf. Here is another welcome volume. 32 chapters take us step by step through this unique portion of scripture. The author approaches the Song allegorically, contrary to an increasing number of Evangelical writers who see the Song as simply a collection of poems about love between a man and a woman. Having said that, the evaluation of the book will depend very much on one's subjective taste on whether this approach succeeds. There are a number of pitfalls which can catch the unwary. For example, the idea that the Song portrays Christ's love to the individual can lead to some gross applications, and Origen is to be preferred here in seeing the Song as showing Christ's love to the Church as a whole. Again, there will be an inevitable lack of agreement over a number of interpretations although the general drift will be evident enough. However, the author has a clear head and steers an instructive and heart-warming pathway through such difficulties and gives us a glimpse of Christ and His glory in His love to both the individual and, by extension, the Church as a whole. He draws from well respected authors of the past, e.g. Spurgeon and Gill, and the author's style is to talk engagingly with the reader. This is no preachy style but an intimate fellowship as might take place between two friends talking of matters of the heart. The application and richness of the Gospel is found throughout. At times I found the writer's style a little bit too much like syrup for my taste, but that is a small hurdle when compared to the joy of seeing Christ at His everlasting love.
Rev John Dunn
FROM: GOSPEL MAGAZINE
DATE: MARCH/APRIL 2006
Discovering Christ in the Song of Solomon. Don Former. Evangelical Press. pp. 256, paperback $12.00. ISBN 0 85234 581 X.
The Evangelical Press have issued a further book in its "Discovering Christ in..." series by Don Fortner. It follows earlier books on "Discovering Christ in . . . " Ruth, Genesis and Revelation.
Don Fortner is pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Danville, Kentucky, USA.
In considering this book, the author takes the classic evangelical interpretation that the Song of Solomon is not just a love story to be interpreted literally. "Remember, the Song of Solomon is to be interpreted spiritually, as an allegory. Any attempt to interpret the book in a strictly literal way is a great mistake, and must lead to a very great evil.This is a love song, not between a man and a woman, but between Christ and his bride, the church. It speaks of the intimate relationship and loving communion that exists between the Lord Jesus Christ and his believing people. This song expresses the affection of a believing heart for Christ and the affection of Christ's heart for his believing people" (page 86). Taking this interpretation, this book breathes of the Lord Jesus Christ whom he finds in every short exposition.
The book is sermonic in style and is not a commentary, as such. There is some repetition in the chapters but this does not detract from the book, and is quite helpful. Each of the thirty-two expositions covers only a few pages and is therefore suitable for daily devotional reading. Not only does Mr. Fortner apply each section of the Song of Solomon to the Lord Jesus Christ and His church, he applies his expositions to the contemporary scene of evangelical religion: "I see more men preaching the true Gospel of God's free and sovereign grace than of any other time we know of in history. I am not talking about religious hirelings who discuss the doctrines of grace over coffee but dare not preach them in their pulpits" (page 52).
In due time it will no doubt rank alongside such expositions of the Song of Solomon as those of Dr. Gill and Spurgeon's Most Holy Place. It is a heart-warming book and is highly recommended to our readers.
From: The Evangelical Presbyterian
Date: May/June 2006
The author states at the outset that the Song of Solomon 'is a book not to be interpreted literally. It is a spiritual allergy between Christ the heavenly bridegroom and the church, his bride.' As with other books in Don Fortner's 'Discovering Christ' series the objective is to draw the reader to behold their beloved Saviour and know a fresh desire to be in his presence.
We are called to make the bride's prayer ours: 'Draw me, we will run after thee.' (1:4) Themes cover the bride's wonder at the King's unfailing love, the believer's true worth, beauty found in Christ alone and the delight of being in the King's presence. Hymns and poems (some of which are written by the author) are intertwined further igniting the heart-warming truths expounded. There are 32 short chapters suitable for use in morning devotions. This book presents the refreshment and intimacy with Christ such as only his bride can know. Hazel Moore
FROM: GOSPEL MAGAZINE
DATE: MARCH/APRIL 2006
Discovering Christ in the Song of Solomon. Don Fortner. Evangelical Press. Pp. 256, paperback. £8.95. ISBN 0 85234 581 X.
The Evangelical Press have issued a further book in its 'Discovering Christ in series by DonFortner. It follows earlier books on "Discovering Christ in Ruth, Genesis and Revelation. Don Partner is pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Danville, Kentucky, USA. In considering this book, the author takes the classic evangelical interpretation that the Song of Solomon is not just a love story to be interpreted literally. 'Remember, the Song of Solomon is to be interpreted spiritually, as an allegory. Any attempt to interpret the book in a strictly literal way is a great mistake, and must lead to a very great evil, This is a love song, not between a man and a woman, but between Christ and his bride, the church. It speaks of the intimate relationship and loving communion that exists between the Lord Jesus Christ and his believing people. This song expresses the affection of a believing heart for Christ and the affection of Christ's heart for his believing people" (page 86). Taking this interpretation, this book breathes of the Lord Jesus Christ whom he finds in every short exposition. The book is sermonic in style and is not a commentary, as such, There is some repetition in the chapters but this does not detract from the book, and is quite helpful. Each of the thirty-two expositions covers only a few pages and is therefore suitable for daily devotional reading. Not only does Mr. Fortner apply each section of the Song of Solomon to the Lord Jesus Christ and His church, he applies his expositions to the contemporary scene of evangelical religion: "I see more men preaching the true Gospel of God's free and sovereign grace than of any other time we know of in history. I am not talking about religious hirelings who discuss the doctrines of grace over coffee but dare not preach them in their pulpits (page 52).In due time it will no doubt rank alongside such expositions of the Song of Solomon as those of Dr. Gill and Spurgeon's Most Holy Place. It is a heart-warming book and is highly recommended to our readers. There is a typographical error on pages 86 to 96 in that the page numbers are omitted. J.E.N.
Evangelical Press
250 pages, £8.95, ISBN 0-85234-581-X
The author of this commentary sets out his stall in the first paragraph. The Song of Solomon 'is a book about fellowship and communion with Christ. It is not in any sense to be interpreted literally. It is spiritual. It is an allegory, a spiritual dialogue between Christ the heavenly Bridegroom and the church, his bride'.
Those looking for help with the various interpretations of the Song will need to look elsewhere. Don Fortner does not believe that the narrative has any basis in history. Freed from an obligation to account for any historical background, he feels at liberty to bring spiritual lessons out of the details, large and small.
In the reviewer's judgment he is at his best when the minutiae of allegory is laid aside and he opens up some of the great themes of the Song: assurance; Christ the sinner's friend; and the glory of the church, amongst others.
He is least profitable in seeking spiritual significance in, for example the Bridegroom's hair, eyes, cheeks, lips, legs etc. Without doubt, the physical beauty of the bride portrays the church as glorious in the eyes of her Lord, but do her breasts refer 'to the Word of God, the Old and New Testaments, like twins'?
This is a book that you will either revel in or (at times) be uneasy with, depending on whether or not you are comfortable with the allegorical approach.
There is no question that it is full of Christ and his relationship to his church. There are copious references to other Scriptures that open up fruitful themes for meditation and further study. This book is true to its title: Discovering Christ in the Song of Solomon.
Douglas Dawson
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