by Charles H. Welch
Full title: “An Alphabetical Analysis of terms and texts used in the study of the Scriptures under four aspects of truth.”
10 volumes (each volume 300-400 pages each) of analysis of terms used in the Scriptures and in discussion of the Christian faith. Suitable for quick reference or a basis for deeper Bible study. See below for what others have said about this work.
Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 – Dispensational Truth
Parts 6 & 7 – Doctrinal Truth (Fundamental Truth)
Parts 8 & 9 – Prophetic Truth
Part 10 – Practical Truth
What others have said about “An Alphabetical Analysis”:
From “The Berean Publishing Trust Catalogue” …
These 10 volumes will be of service to all Bible students provided they are prepared to consider carefully all that has been written in good faith but with the author’s added proviso — ‘Search the Scriptures’ to see if what is advocated stands the acid test of the Word of God.
Extracts from “A Review of Charles H. Welch’s ‘An Alphabetical Analysis’ – by Daisy Collier” (from “Spiritual Blessings” Vol 1 No.5) …
This review of Mr. Welch’s Alphabetical Analysis is of necessity very limited, for how on earth could anyone do justice to a ten volume set of such magnitude in one go? But I assure you my enthusiasm for this great work is not limited.
Prof. F. F. Bruce refers to it as a Bible dictionary of terms and texts, used in the study of dispensational truth and a most useful handbook, not only for those who study the Scriptures along dispensational lines, but also for those not entirely convinced of right division.
That Mr. Welch’s first love is the wondrous teaching pertaining to the dispensation of the Mystery, and the position and calling of the Church which is the Body of Christ as revealed in Ephesians and Colossians, is well in evidence, and he delights to set forth the unsearchable riches of Christ as found in these epistles, but does that restrict him in his overall study of Scripture? Let me answer that by quoting the foreword of his condensed study of Ephesians, found in Volume 1:
“To those who have seen that Acts 28 is the dispensational boundary, the Epistle to the Ephesians is like the Magna Carta is to English freedom. There the member of the Body of Christ learns the nature and sphere of this high calling, and with this Epistle as his standard, he can freely range all Scripture, receiving blessing and illumination from Law, Prophets, Psalm or Gospel, yet without confusing the various callings or robbing others of their own peculiar blessings.”
So now we’ll pick up Volume 1 and take a look at the index, and you will see this principle well in operation. Such differing subjects as Abraham, Adam, Babylon, Cherubim, Creation, Dispensation, to name a few.
Also in Volume 1 under the title “Adam” you will find much of interest … and if you wish to further your knowledge on this subject, look up the section on “In Adam” in Volume 2.
In Volume 7 there is a section on “Peace” which recently helped me greatly. At a Bible study not so long ago, we were each asked to give a definition of peace, and I found that I did not have an adequate answer, so what did I do? At home, I sought out the article on Peace in the Alphabetical Analysis, and much light was shed on my ignorance.
If you are interested in the Feasts of the Lord as set out in Leviticus 23, you will profit much from this study as found in “The Festival Year” in Volume 8.
Volumes 8 and 9 are devoted to the study of prophecy, and what a wealth of material is here, and especially in Volume 9: once one starts reading it is hard to put the book down, and there is a wonderful portion on the Heavenly Jerusalem, which I have re-read many times.
But lest there should be an imbalance in the Analysis, all doctrine and no practice, Mr. Welch at the age of 77 took up his pen once more, and with the help of Stuart Allen, compiled Volume 10. This practical and experimental side of truth is presented and likened to A Way, Walk, Witness, Works, Warfare and Worship.
There is an excellent section given for young people, with outlines of lessons for them, and this is the reason why it is included in this last volume, and I quote:
“The great truth of the Mystery, the meaning of dispensational truth, the principle of right division, are not matters into which a child can be expected to enter, but on the other hand, if the Gospel brought before the child is presented by one who already seeks to rightly divide the word of truth, that child will unconsciously walk in the ways of truth for today without knowing the byways and blind alleys that indiscriminate teaching of the young often lays for their unwary steps.”
Stuart Allen’s two studies on Prayer and the Two Natures and the Soul are, as usual, full of interest and most helpful.
The structures all through these volumes are outstanding. Just imagine all the time and effort required to work them out! Do avail yourselves of this splendid work; you will never regret it, and it will enrich all your own study, and your life as well.
I am well aware of the sketchy nature of this review, but I hope you will be stimulated to acquire a set of the Alphabetical Analysis for your own use. You will find it a veritable feast of good things. But as you absorb the contents, don’t forget to make the studies your own by diligent effort, for a mighty lot of work and effort was put into their publication, and as someone once remarked about Mr. Welch’s teaching: “It is Christ centred”, and so you will find these studies.
