Calvinism, What Is It? [Beginner's Resources]

[Jonaitis]

Here is a beginner's introduction to the Calvinism (also known as the Doctrines of Grace), which may be helpful to those exploring it. There is literally a plethora of resources out there, and better ones at that, but this is for those who want to get their feet wet.

Articles:
Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints

Defense of Calvinism - Charles Spurgeon
Foreknowledge (from Attributes of God) - Arthur Pink
Brief Touch On The Five Points - Calvinist Corner
Introduction of TULIP Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 - Ligonier Ministries
The Canons of Dort
God's Decree - Second London Baptist Confession
Westminster Confession of Faith

Videos:
TULIP Seminar - John Piper (9 videos)
Do you emphasize Calvinism and the Doctrines of Grace more than the Bible does?
Willing to Believe - R.C. Sproul
What is Reformed Theology? (12 videos) - R.C. Sproul
Amazing Grace: the History and Theology of Calvinism (Documentary) Part One, Two, and Three.

Books:
The Potter's Freedom by James White

If you have more recommendations, please post them here. It can be anything: books, articles, videos, etc.

Note: Now, even though I may recommend a person or ministry (whatever and whoever it may be), I am not in complete agreement with what that person or ministry may teach or believe in all things. I usually have differences with certain people and groups I recommend, sometimes minor things within the resource I recommend, but that does not take away the overall message or teaching I want to share.

 

[HTacianas]

Here is a beginner's introduction to the Calvinism (also known as the Doctrines of Grace), which may be helpful to those exploring it. There is literally a plethora of resources out there, and better ones at that, but this is for those who want to get their feet wet.

Articles:
Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints

Foreknowledge (from Attributes of God) - Arthur Pink

Videos:
John Piper - TULIP Seminar (9 videos)
Do you emphasize Calvinism and the Doctrines of Grace more than the Bible does?

Books:
The Potter's Freedom by James White

If you have more recommendations, please post them here. It can be anything: books, articles, videos, etc.

Note: Now, even though I may recommend a person or ministry (whatever and whoever it may be), I am not in complete agreement with what that person or ministry may teach or believe in all things. I usually have differences with certain people and groups I recommend, sometimes minor things within the resource I recommend, but that does not take away the overall message or teaching I want to share.

Does any of that address Exodus 32:14?

 

[ilovejcsog]

Does that relate to Mormons?

 

[Jonaitis]

Does that relate to Mormons?

No.

 

[worshipjunkie]

Here is a beginner's introduction to the Calvinism (also known as the Doctrines of Grace), which may be helpful to those exploring it. There is literally a plethora of resources out there, and better ones at that, but this is for those who want to get their feet wet.

Articles:
Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints

Foreknowledge (from Attributes of God) - Arthur Pink

Videos:
John Piper - TULIP Seminar (9 videos)
Do you emphasize Calvinism and the Doctrines of Grace more than the Bible does?

Books:
The Potter's Freedom by James White

If you have more recommendations, please post them here. It can be anything: books, articles, videos, etc.

Note: Now, even though I may recommend a person or ministry (whatever and whoever it may be), I am not in complete agreement with what that person or ministry may teach or believe in all things. I usually have differences with certain people and groups I recommend, sometimes minor things within the resource I recommend, but that does not take away the overall message or teaching I want to share.

Thank you very much! I was just thinking about asking for something like this.

 

[BBAS 64]

Willing to believe- Sproul
What s reformed theology - Sproul
A defense of Calvinism- http://www.spurgeongems.org/tulip-df.pdf

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism

Study Guide

The video can be watched freely on Youtube, search for the title and see the results, the video posting below three years ago on Youtube is complete in one file, rather than split into two/three three parts. The DVD came as a set of two DVD's, and it is organized into parts. The reason I link to the particular video below is because it is in one file and contains no watermarks like other videos of the same program. The other video postings of the same program have a great deal more likes than the one below, primarily because they were posted two years before this one.

Enjoy!

 

[BBAS 64]

Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism

Study Guide

The video can be watched freely on Youtube, search for the title and see the results, the video posting below three years ago on Youtube is complete in one file, rather than split into two/three three parts. The DVD came as a set of two DVD's, and it is organized into parts. The reason I link to the particular video below is because it is in one file and contains no watermarks like other videos of the same program. The other video postings of the same program have a great deal more likes than the one below, primarily because they were posted two years before this one.

Enjoy!

Wow what a blast from the past... I can remember when the Founders ministry sent this to a bunch of SBC churches.

Thanks For the memory!

In Him,

Bill

 

[The Righterzpen]

Does any of that address Exodus 32:14?

What is you question about Exodus 32:14?

If you look at the Hebrew word "The Lord repented....." it means to have pity; "to console one's self". That word does not mean God "changed His mind". It is also in "Niphal imperfect"; which is "passive form" of an "incomplete action". Meaning God will not "have pity" or "console" Himself forever. There is a day of reckoning coming. He opted to postpone an action He has already determined upon prior to the foundations of the the world.

 

[Jonaitis]

He opted to postpone an action He has already determined upon prior to the foundations of the the world.

The problem with his question is if he is implying that God can change his mind (repent), taking the passage too literal instead of as anthropomorphism, he runs into the issue of denying God's other attributes such as his divine immutability. We should always interpret such language as a communication device and not take it to an extreme that would deny God's ontology and essence. If God can change within himself, and that in light of what a creature did/said, he is not perfect and immutable, turning him into an emotionally-laden being who can be affected by the created order. But then again I don't know what his question was since he wasn't clear.

 

[twin1954]

The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, and Documented

 

[worshipjunkie]

The Sovereign Grace of God: A Biblical Study of the Doctrines of Calvinism by James White has been a very good read for me. Haven't finished it yet but the Biblical evidence he presents is very compelling and it's written very beginner-friendly.

 

[twin1954]

The Sovereign Grace of God: A Biblical Study of the Doctrines of Calvinism by James White has been a very good read for me. Haven't finished it yet but the Biblical evidence he presents is very compelling and it's written very beginner-friendly.

I think the one I posted would be a great help to you as well. I have it on my shelves and their history of how the five points came about is concise and easy to read. Their explanations of each point is very good. But the best part is their Biblical documentation of each point. I prefer the name “ The Doctrines of Grace” but can live with the name they usually are given.

 

[worshipjunkie]

I think the one I posted would be a great help to you as well. I have it on my shelves and their history of how the five points came about is concise and easy to read. Their explanations of each point is very good. But the best part is their Biblical documentation of each point. I prefer the name “ The Doctrines of Grace” but can live with the name they usually are given.

I looked at that book on Amazon. It's on my wish list. The book I'm reading cost 3.99 on my Kindle, which is much more in my budget at the present time. But I want to get the other one too.

 

[twin1954]

I looked at that book on Amazon. It's on my wish list. The book I'm reading cost 3.99 on my Kindle, which is much more in my budget at the present time. But I want to get the other one too.

I think the link I gave has it for $4.99.

 

[twin1954]

Opps! I was sure the link went to a site that had the book at $4.99.

 

[twin1954]

Oh, ok it did link to logos and has it at the price mentioned. I accidentally hit the link she provided.

 

[Jonaitis]

Great stuff, you guys. Keep it up!

 

[dms1972]

The problem with his question is if he is implying that God can change his mind (repent), taking the passage too literal instead of as anthropomorphism, he runs into the issue of denying God's other attributes such as his divine immutability. We should always interpret such language as a communication device and not take it to an extreme that would deny God's ontology and essence. If God can change within himself, and that in light of what a creature did/said, he is not perfect and immutable, turning him into an emotionally-laden being who can be affected by the created order. But then again I don't know what his question was since he wasn't clear.

Why can't God change His mind? Why can it not also be in his nature to change his mind? Can he not do whatever he wants?

 

[Jonaitis]

Why can't God change His mind? Why can it not also be in his nature to change his mind? Can he not do whatever he wants?

That's because everything of God is God. All of his attributes are not parts or pieces of himself, that you can add to him or take away, but are essentially identical with himself. His mind isn't separated from his divine self, everything is God that is in God. This is his divine simplicity. For him to change his "mind" is to change himself, since the mind and will are identical with himself. Scripture uses the analogy of faith to bring the working of God to the human finite understanding using terms that relate to the human experience. God doesn't have an arm or a finger, yet we describe certain operations/works of his with the analogy of a man's experience.

There is a difference between his internal reality (ad intra) and his external dealing with creation (ad extra). Everything in God is ad intra and ontological in nature, but everything he does in interaction with creation is outside of himself and does not affect him, ad extra.