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Title: Why I Am Not a Calvinist by Jerry L. Walls , Joseph Dongell, Jerry L. Walls ISBN: 0-8308-3249-1 Publisher: Inter Varsity Press Pub. Date: 01 May, 2004 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.6 (10 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Courteous, Scholarly, but More Philosophy than Bible
Comment: This new book favoring Arminianism has several virtues. It is written in a temperate manner. No foaming-at-the-mouth, arms-waving, wild-eyed ranting against Calvinism. Both writers are professors at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Another plus is that they depict Calvinism's doctrinal positions correctly. Even though they take Calvinism to task for what they feel are its unavoidable implications, there are no "straw men", no crazy claims about what Calvinism allegedly means.
They don't heap abuse onto the moral characters of John Calvin or Augustine, as did Laurence Vance and Dave Hunt.
They also point to numerous, specific Bible texts which seem to conflict with Calvinism's fundamental dogmas. They do a fair job of poking problems in Calvinism (it's use of the "negative fallacy", philosophical pre-assumptions about God, and the skepticism created when we say that God's Scripture-words don't reflect God's actual desires).
However, the book is not a Bible study. Although the writers do a bit of exegesis and argumentation in favor of certain interpretations (of, say, 1 Tim. 2:1-4, or John 3:16), they seem more comfortable with philosophy than Biblical hermeneutics.
Their material on what God's sovereignty is weak, and almost completely devoid of Scripture. They want to believe that God rules over the "big picture" but doesn't control the micro-world -- which seems Deistic to me. They're trying to philosophically carve out a space in the world where stuff just happens.
There's quite a bit of speculative question-asking ("Could it not be that God...?", "Why couldn't it be that God just...?", etc.), which is fine but then they don't back it up. I could speculate that my grandmother was a little red wagon, but that doesn't make her one.
They show an alarming sympathy to Open Theism, and favorably cite Open Theist writers many times. This is a bad thing.
These writers are to Dave Hunt what portrait artists are to a kid scribbling with a crayon. However, if you're looking for a focus on Biblical authority, it's not here. Asbury does not hold to plenary biblical inspiration, and you can read between the lines of this book and pick up on Asbury's "pietistic liberalism". It's not a school I would ever recommend. For the sake of iron sharpening iron, the Christian reading world still could use a defense of Arminianism that makes its case from Biblical exegesis, not philosophical speculations. Dave Hunt quotes scads of verses, but doesn't even really grasp Calvinism or the critical issues involved. These men grasp Calvinism, but deal with it philosophically, not Biblically. And even their philosophizing is often speculative and not supported by specific Scriptures.
Rating: 5
Summary: Superb book
Comment: Those who do not like this view tend to do so because they say
A) It is not Biblical enough (i.e. too philosophical)
B) It is not Calvinistic enough (i.e. too Arminian)
C) It leans toward Openness view
My response
A) We can all use our favorite verses and debate about which holds to a more "true" view of God. Arminians grab everything they can from James or Hebrews whereas Calvinists jump headlong into Romans. We then fling these "helpful" verses in the opposition's directions and dodge their responses. Calvin and realized that we must move with our reason and look to the Tradition of the church. Moreover, the fact is that the church has traditionally rejected pure Calvinism, especially predestination. It is not until Calvin/Luther/Beza that this became the "orthodox" view. This was done not from a Biblical standpoint but a philosophical one. The same has been done with the Trinity. The trinity (although alluded too) is not directly spoken of in scripture. It is not until the councils used reason (given to us, and directed, by God) that this view was adopted.
B) This I think is obvious and no reasoning is needed.
C) Although the book does have a tendency to sound "open," it is not and neither is traditional Arminianism. Arminians have held that God can know the future and we have free will both. Although this produces much tension with a logical view, it is no more in contradiction than a man being fully God and Fully man nor something being three distinct yet one. In addition, open theology is no further "heresy" than Calvinism is. Both have been rejected by the Tradition of the church and neither can be labeled as "Orthodoxy."
This is a well-written book with a well-articulated argument. To say this book is defending the "heresy" of Arminianism is ludicrous. Arminianism has no more been rejected by the church than Augustinians and probably less. Pelagianism? Yes, it has been rejected by the church (although not because of free will but because of views on sin) and if that is what some are referring to then they are missing the point of this book.
This Book is both philosophically and Biblically sound
Rating: 5
Summary: A Richly Woven Integration
Comment: Refreshingly succinct, this book is packed tightly, neatly avoiding the filler material that often dilutes such writing. The authors progress from one urgent arena to the next, offering first and foremost some desperately needed in-depth Scriptural exegesis, keenly illustrated, and backed by precise arguments. Viewing theology primarily from a Scriptural foundation, Arminianism is clearly shown as consistent through philosophical delineation that parallels Scriptural truth. Finally, here is a fresh alternative to Calvinism that depends on Scripture, unfolds classic theology and utilizes philosophy to highlight the necessity for consistency in one's beliefs. The authors display mastery of their fields and offer rich theology sure to appeal to believers of all stripes. This book will strike a chord with old and young, traditional and postmodern, because ultimately it rings of truth.
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Title: Why I Am Not an Arminian by Robert A. Peterson, Michael D. Williams ISBN: 0830832483 Publisher: InterVarsity Press Pub. Date: 01 May, 2004 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Grace, Faith, Free Will: Contrasting Views of Salvation: Calvinism and Arminianism by Robert E. Picirilli ISBN: 0892656484 Publisher: Randall House Publications Pub. Date: 01 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $19.99 |
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Title: Debating Calvinism : Five Points, Two Views by Dave Hunt, James White ISBN: 1590522737 Publisher: Multnomah Pub. Date: 01 February, 2004 List Price(USD): $17.99 |
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Title: Beyond Calvinism and Arminianism: An Inductive, Mediate Theology of Salvation by C. Gordon Olson ISBN: 0962485047 Publisher: Global Gospel Publishers Pub. Date: November, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: Mere Theology: A Guide to the Thought of C.S. Lewis by Will Vaus, Douglas Gresham ISBN: 083082782X Publisher: Inter Varsity Press Pub. Date: 01 May, 2004 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
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