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I can no longer answer Calvinist arguments

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CredoBiblicist

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I've always been OSAS Arminian in theology since I got saved nearly 5 years ago but have also enjoyed several books (not about Calvinism) by Calvinist authors whom I have great respect for. I have read a lot of literature "exposing Calvinism" which is very convincing if you trust the author is actually correctly representing the Calvinist position correctly. Recently I've been reading articles on Calvinist websites with arguments against my own position and then why the 5 points make the most sense in light of scripture. I have to admit I am now seriously doubting my own position and am not sure I even hold it anymore. The doctrines of grace I'm learning about are becoming more and more clear to me, the logic behind them as well as the scripture of course I can no longer find explanations for from the Arminian position. I feel like a whole new aspect to God that I was ignorant of is being revealed to me and it's wonderful.

In light of all this, which books would be a good starter for me to fully comprehend TULIP and also defend it from Arminian attacks?
 
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CredoBiblicist

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jdbrown said:
"Chosen By God" by R.C. Sproul
"The Sovereignty of God" by A.W. Pink

Both of these authors have many books on the subject of election, monergism and predestination.
Click to expand...

Thanks, added to my list. Which is the best most clear book on limited atonement? I've seen The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen getting a lot of recommendations.

JM said:
And something with a whole lot of scripture in it:

Click to expand...

Had been looking at this one, great place to begin I think.
 
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jdbrown

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HumbledToKnowHim said:
Thanks, added to my list. Which is the best most clear book on limited atonement? I've seen The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen getting a lot of recommendations.
Click to expand...

Pink's book "The Satisfaction of Christ" is also very good.
 
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Clare73

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I note your experience is so typical of those who come into understanding of God's sovereignty.

In light of all this, which books would be a good starter for me to fully comprehend TULIP and also defend it from Arminian attacks?
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For more wonderful, you might start with Book III of the four books of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.

Lay aside defending it from Arminian attacks for awhile.
 
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desmalia

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Excellent recommendations here.

I would like to add Sam Storms' "Chosen for Life". It's a beautiful in depth book that really addresses the doctrines of grace in light of Arminian thinking, and with tremendous grace and insight. I refer to his book often when discussing these issues with Arminians. The man clearly has a deep love for our Arminian brethren and a desire to reason with them. In fact, I hesitate to lend this book out because I'm always afraid I won't get it back! He starts with the example of hypothetical identical twins who die, one going to heaven, and the other to hell. Then he carefully explores why and how this might come about.

Sproul's "Chosen by God" is a great introduction to help give a solid overview (I found it extremely helpful in solidifying my understanding). Storms' book goes deeper and answers more questions. My only disagreement with him is short section at the very end (supralapsarian vs. infralapsarian), but that's really not something to be concerned about when first coming to understand and embrace the doctrines of grace, nor is it something to divide over.
 
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Apologetic_Warrior

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Clare73

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Apologetic_Warrior

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Clare73 said:
Is this Loraine Boettner from Houston, TX?

Married to Janette Clift George, the Christian playwright?
Click to expand...

Let me see.....*searching Wiki*...I should have remembered since I live in the same state, he from Linden, Missouri, lived from 1901-1990. "He received a Th.B. (1928) and Th.M. (1929) from Princeton Theological Seminary, and he received the honorary degrees of Doctor of Divinity (1933) and Doctor of Letters (1957). He was a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. For eight years he taught Bible at Pikeville College in Kentucky, and in 1937 he began working at the Library of Congress and the Bureau of Internal Revenue." - source Evidently he traveled quite a bit throughout his lifetime, living in several different areas. It's a long haul from anywhere in Missouri to New Jersey, where he received degrees at PTS. It's safe to say, most likely he came from a middle to upper class family, though stranger things have happened. Dr. C. Matthew McMahon has written a short but interesting biography of Loraine Boettner

Clare73 said:
And my favorite: J. I. Packer translating Luther's book.
Click to expand...

 
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AMR

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HumbledToKnowHim said:
I
In light of all this, which books would be a good starter for me to fully comprehend TULIP and also defend it from Arminian attacks?
Click to expand...
Rather than thinking apologetically, start with the high view of the sovereignty of God by the Reformers. It all begins there.

The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul will drive you to your knees every time you read it.
 
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bsd058

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A very good introduction (if you're somewhat of a visual learner like me) is to watch the movie, Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism. A lot of people in this forum have watched it (so have I) and have found it helpful. Here is a link to purchase on amazon.

Amazon.com: Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism: Eric Holmberg, Dr. R.C. Sproul, Dr. D. James Kennedy, Dr. Thomas Ascol, Dr. Thomas Nettles, The Apologetics Group, James Gelet, R.C. Sproul, D. James Kennedy, George Grant, Stephen Mansf

My wife bought it for me when we were first dating.
 
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