My neighbors asked today about Reformed theology. We didn't have much time to talk, and I thought it would be a good idea to give them a Reformed reading list that they can pursue as time allows in their hectic lives. I thought I would also share the list I made for them here.
I only included contemporary books in this list. I know...that's anathema to most of us Reformed folks!
I wanted to get them into books relatively easy to find and understand. Some of the Reformed classics are a bit tough to chew for products of the American education system to digest well, aren't they? (Hey....I'm having a tough time following John Owen's Death of Death in the Death of Christ!! Sometimes I have to go back over a paragraph several times and take notes before I have his point down and feel ready to move on to the next paragraph.)
Anyway...here's the list, as I wrote it out for my neighbors:
Putting Amazing Back into Grace: Who Does What in Salvation? By Michael Horton; 1991; Baker Books: This is a good entry-level layman’s introduction to Reformed theology. Horton’s book is very ‘reader friendly’. Horton examines such basic Reformed positions as the 5-points of Calvinism, the effect of the fall upon man, and free will. Horton also explains the Reformed views of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. One drawback is that Horton does not really examine covenant theology in this book.
What is Reformed Theology? Understanding the Basics by RC Sproul; 1997; Baker Books: This book, as indicated by the title, covers the basics of Reformed theology. Sproul’s book is a little more technical than Horton’s book, in that Sproul sprinkles Latin theological terms throughout; however, he always explains them and includes a glossary of foreign terms at the back of the book. This is a solid book that sketches covenant theology and the 5-points of Calvinism.
The Doctrines of Grace: Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel by James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken; 2002; Crossway Books: A very reader friendly presentation of the 5-points of Calvinism. The opening chapter is titled ‘Why Evangelicalism Needs Calvinism’, and the final two chapters are titled ‘The True Calvinist’ and ‘Calvinism at Work’. I believe that Boice makes a compelling case for the relevance of Calvinism to modern Christianity. If someone were to choose one book on Reformed theology, this would be a good one.
Chosen by God by RC Sproul; 1986; Tyndale: This book deals specifically with the Reformed views of predestination, free will, and foreknowledge, and how they operate in our salvation. This was the book that convinced me that Reformed theology actually handles the scriptures more accurately than any other viewpoint I have encountered in Christianity.
Willing to Believe: The Controversy Over Free Will by RC Sproul; 1997; Baker Books: A detailed look at the views of free will over the centuries of Christianity. Sproul covers the views of Pelagius, Augustine, Semi-Pelagians, Martin Luther, John Calvin, James Arminius, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, and Lewis Sperry Chafer. If you are a Christian, you will find your position on free will described in this book, and compared to all of the other views.
God of Promise: Introducing Covenant Theology by Michael Horton; 2006; Baker Books: This book is an excellent primer on covenant theology. What is covenant theology? It is an opposing view to the omnipresent dispensational view. Dispensationalism breaks human history down into seven different time periods in which God worked using different methods with different peoples, and is largely responsible for the prevalent end-times view of premillelnial, pre-tribulation rapture. Covenant theology interprets scripture to say that God basically only works in two ways…the covenant of works and the covenant of grace.
Debating Calvinism: Five points, Two Views by Dave Hunt and James White; 2004; Multnomah Publishers: From the back cover: “Calvinism has been a topic of intense discussion for centuries. In this lively debate, two passionate thinkers take opposing sides, providing valuable responses to the most frequently asked questions about Calvinism.” Hunt actually verbalizes many of the objections raised by those reading the above books. It is useful to read White’s responses to those objections.
I only included contemporary books in this list. I know...that's anathema to most of us Reformed folks!
I wanted to get them into books relatively easy to find and understand. Some of the Reformed classics are a bit tough to chew for products of the American education system to digest well, aren't they? (Hey....I'm having a tough time following John Owen's Death of Death in the Death of Christ!! Sometimes I have to go back over a paragraph several times and take notes before I have his point down and feel ready to move on to the next paragraph.)Anyway...here's the list, as I wrote it out for my neighbors:
Putting Amazing Back into Grace: Who Does What in Salvation? By Michael Horton; 1991; Baker Books: This is a good entry-level layman’s introduction to Reformed theology. Horton’s book is very ‘reader friendly’. Horton examines such basic Reformed positions as the 5-points of Calvinism, the effect of the fall upon man, and free will. Horton also explains the Reformed views of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. One drawback is that Horton does not really examine covenant theology in this book.
What is Reformed Theology? Understanding the Basics by RC Sproul; 1997; Baker Books: This book, as indicated by the title, covers the basics of Reformed theology. Sproul’s book is a little more technical than Horton’s book, in that Sproul sprinkles Latin theological terms throughout; however, he always explains them and includes a glossary of foreign terms at the back of the book. This is a solid book that sketches covenant theology and the 5-points of Calvinism.
The Doctrines of Grace: Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel by James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken; 2002; Crossway Books: A very reader friendly presentation of the 5-points of Calvinism. The opening chapter is titled ‘Why Evangelicalism Needs Calvinism’, and the final two chapters are titled ‘The True Calvinist’ and ‘Calvinism at Work’. I believe that Boice makes a compelling case for the relevance of Calvinism to modern Christianity. If someone were to choose one book on Reformed theology, this would be a good one.
Chosen by God by RC Sproul; 1986; Tyndale: This book deals specifically with the Reformed views of predestination, free will, and foreknowledge, and how they operate in our salvation. This was the book that convinced me that Reformed theology actually handles the scriptures more accurately than any other viewpoint I have encountered in Christianity.
Willing to Believe: The Controversy Over Free Will by RC Sproul; 1997; Baker Books: A detailed look at the views of free will over the centuries of Christianity. Sproul covers the views of Pelagius, Augustine, Semi-Pelagians, Martin Luther, John Calvin, James Arminius, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, and Lewis Sperry Chafer. If you are a Christian, you will find your position on free will described in this book, and compared to all of the other views.
God of Promise: Introducing Covenant Theology by Michael Horton; 2006; Baker Books: This book is an excellent primer on covenant theology. What is covenant theology? It is an opposing view to the omnipresent dispensational view. Dispensationalism breaks human history down into seven different time periods in which God worked using different methods with different peoples, and is largely responsible for the prevalent end-times view of premillelnial, pre-tribulation rapture. Covenant theology interprets scripture to say that God basically only works in two ways…the covenant of works and the covenant of grace.
Debating Calvinism: Five points, Two Views by Dave Hunt and James White; 2004; Multnomah Publishers: From the back cover: “Calvinism has been a topic of intense discussion for centuries. In this lively debate, two passionate thinkers take opposing sides, providing valuable responses to the most frequently asked questions about Calvinism.” Hunt actually verbalizes many of the objections raised by those reading the above books. It is useful to read White’s responses to those objections.
