Book Reviews
Review of "Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport"
Submitted by Richard Coords on Mon, 04/19/2010 - 10:03amThe motivation for this book is an attempt to recognize the way in which Calvinism connects with non-Calvinists, and why those who *are* Calvinists, do not run away in horror, but zealously embrace its theology. Author, Richard Mouw, recognizes that Calvinism does not always come across well, and best observes this in a movie entitled, Hardcore, in which a Calvinist elder, Jake, explains his TULIP theology to a curious lost woman in a Las Vegas airport, Niki, who in response to an explanation of TULIP Calvinism, exclaims: “I thought I was ****ed up.” (p.13)
Mouw writes: “I have been thinking about writing this book ever since I saw the film Hardcore. A movie with a title like that will not strike most folks as an obvious source of inspiration for some reflections on how to be a Calvinist in the twenty-first century, so I had better explain myself.” (p.11)
(The now Atheist director of Hardcore was raised as a Christian and graduated from Calvin College.)
New Book: John Calvin Goes to Berkeley
Submitted by Richard Coords on Tue, 12/29/2009 - 3:47pmWhat happens when a dogmatic Calvinist attempts “Reformation” within an on-campus, Christian organization of college students, who are relatively inexperienced in the Free Will vs. Predestination controversy? What happens when the dogmatic Calvinist becomes even more vigilant, when pressured by his aggressive Calvinist Pastor, using the threat of withholding his recommendation for admission to the Calvinistic, Westminster Theological Seminary? What happens when the inexperienced, non-Calvinist students take up the noble challenge of believing in God for an answer to the age old mystery on Predestination? What happens when the pressures of college life gets in the way of their research? What if that college is the University of California at Berkeley, or more affectionately known as “Beserkeley”? Find out, in the new book, “John Calvin Goes To Berkeley”?
God’s will to save
Submitted by Godismyjudge on Mon, 06/08/2009 - 9:49amThis post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
Many Calvinists argue that if God wanted to save people through Christ’s death and they don’t end up saved, God failed. But God can’t fail. So Christ’s death was never intended to save all people.
It’s important to distinguish the objects of God's will. If He wants Himself to do something, His will is always done, for who can stop Him?
Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
But if He wants us to do something, His will may not be done.
The Unevangelized
Submitted by Godismyjudge on Wed, 06/03/2009 - 7:19amThis post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
Owen’s Argument 2:
P1: If Christ death is for everyone, and saves those that believe, all should receive the invitation to believe
P2: Scripture teaches many die without having heard the Gospel
C1: Therefore, Christ’s death isn’t for everyone
Scriptures Owen uses to Defend His Argument
“for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17
“In Judah was God known, and his name was great in Israel; in Salem was his tabernacle, and his dwelling-place in Zion,” Psalm 76:1-2
The New Covenant
Submitted by Godismyjudge on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 8:19amThis post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
Owen’s Argument 1:
P1: The new covenant saves only believers
P2: God only intended the elect to believe
C1: Therefore, God intended the new covenant for the elect
Owen fortifies P2 by this argument:
P3: God effectually gives the elect faith
P4: No one else can have faith without God’s effectually giving it
C2: therefore, God only intended the elect to believe.
(link)
Scriptures Owen uses to Defend His Argument
Assurance - Christ's Death and Intercession (Part 5/5)
Submitted by Godismyjudge on Tue, 05/26/2009 - 10:55amThis post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
Owen's Argument
P1: the strict connection between Christ’s offering and His intercession gives assurance to those who believe Christ offered for them
P2: Arminians think Christ may offer for those whom He does not intercede.
C1: Under Arminian thinking, those who believe Christ offered Himself to the Father for them have no assurance.
Scripture supporting P1:
“Who is he that condemneth? “It is Christ that died,” (Romans 8:34)
(link)
Refutation
Is Intercession a Prayer? - Christ's Death and Intercession (Part 4/5)
Submitted by Godismyjudge on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 7:35amThis post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
Recap of Owen's Argument
P1: Christ's intercession is not vocal or supplication, but rather a presentation of Christ Himself
P2: The presentation of Christ to God is joined with the offering of Christ to God
C1: Therefore, intercession is joined with the offering of Christ to God
Scripture supporting P1:
Is the High Priest doing His job? - Christ's Death and Intercession (Part 3/5)
Submitted by Godismyjudge on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:23amThis post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
Here is Owen’s primary argument:
P1: A High Priest wouldn’t be fulfilling his duties if he offers a sacrifice on someone’s behalf, but didn’t intercede for them
P2: Christ is a faithful High Priest, fulfilling His duties
C1: therefore, Christ does not make an offering for someone without also interceding for them.
Scripture support for P1:
“If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 2:1-2
In support of his argument, he makes another:
P3: Christ offered His blood to God at the entrance of the holy place
P4: Christ entered the holy place by His blood to intercede for the elect
Connection between Offering and Intercession - Christ's Death and Intercession (Part 2/5)
Submitted by Godismyjudge on Tue, 05/19/2009 - 7:31amThis post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
Owen’s Argument #1
P1: intercession is inseparably connected with oblation
P2: Christ’s intercession is made for the elect alone
C1: Therefore, Christ’s oblation was made for the elect alone
Scripture support for P1:
“By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities,” . “He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors; Isaiah 53:11-12
Refuting Edwards and Calvinist Compatibilism and Arguments against Genuine Free Will
Submitted by SEA on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 11:48pmWe have recently added a few book length resources that advance the Arminian view of free will and take on Calvinist arguments against genuine free will, especially the view that has become the dominant view among Calvinists, represented by famous Calvinist Jonathan Edwards--compatibilism.
First, we have what is reputed to be a definitive refutation of the Calvinist perspective and vindication of the Arminian one, by Daniel Whedon: The Freedom of the Will as a Basis of Human Responsibility and a Divine Government (http://evangelicalarminians.org/Determinism-Whedon-The-Freedom-of-the-Wi...). This work is so important that at the end of this post we will paste in four reviews written by SEA members posted at Amazon for an edited, republished version of Whedon's work.
Next, we have two other book length treatments:
