Please click on the link to view Justin Taylor, “A 20th Century Classic: ‘The Master Plan of Evangelism'”. This is a postive book review. In addition to drawing attention to an important work by an Arminian author, it’s a good reminder that Arminians and Calvinists are brothers and sisters and agree on a lot and can benefit form one another’s work/scholarship/teaching, and that there are many Calvinist leaders who are not antagonistic toward Arminians even if they disagree with us sharply on some matters.
Here is Taylor’s conclusion:
All in all, this is a clear, simple, and bold book, and it has been bearing fruit for the gospel for over five decades. Though more technical discussions have been written about Jesus’s method of discipleship, none have been as effective at equipping and motivating the church to put it into practice.
The virtues of Coleman’s book outweigh any of its limitations (the proportionality of my analysis devoted to each notwithstanding!). Even as I disagree with some of the theological formulations or presuppositions, or wish that they were expressed with more nuance, I recognize in this book invaluable counsel for discipling like Jesus to further the Great Commission.
Readers mght also be interested in this work by Robert E. Coleman: Heart of the Gospel: The Theology behind the Master Plan of Evangelism., which also carries some ringing endorsements from Calvinist scholars:
“Here is the theology of the Gospel in classic Wesleyan dress, vividly presented by one of its most honored veteran expositors. All who love the Lord will find this a heartwarming read.”–J. I. Packer, Board of Governors Professor of Theology, Regent College
“When Robert Coleman and I taught together, students would often tell me that his classes changed their lives, and I think that will also happen with those who read this book.”–Wayne Grudem, research professor of theology and biblical studies, Phoenix Seminary
