Tulip

[Forest]

Can anyone point me to a good reference for a biblical defence of all five points?

It seems like everything that I read, when it comes to the more difficult concepts that appear to contradict scripture, goes on for pages and pages and pages...

It is really that difficult to defend so that I have to read a book about it?

 

[Rolf Ernst]

Forest--The fuller consideration you see in the defense of Calvinism stems from the fact that the Reformed faith is seen in the whole context of Scripture. Arminian beliefs rest on isolated texts pulled from the larger contexts. Explaining why those small portions of scripture violate the true meaning of Scripture makes it necessary to consider the whole context. That can be demonstrated with every text of Scripture Arminians use to claim the validity of their beliefs. Get two commentaries, one written by an Arminian and the other written by a Calvinist, and without variation, the context used by the Calvinist to explain Scripture will always look wider and deeper into both the immediate context and the message of the whole of Scripture.

Cite any verse used by Arminians you like and I can demonstrate it to be so.

 

[Jon_]

Can anyone point me to a good reference for a biblical defence of all five points?

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/doctrinesofgrace.htmlhttp://www.monde

It is really that difficult to defend so that I have to read a book about it?

Well, yes and no. It's not difficult, but you do have to read a book.

(Take a guess at which one. )

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[Erinwilcox]

Forest, I have read a book that clearly and simply presented the TULIP. The only thing that might be an issue is that when it's not discussing the TULIP, it is written as a novel of people who are trying to understand Calvinism. It is about a young seminary student who begins to struggle with understanding Reformed Theology. He and a friend then begin to do a serious study on the TULIP (at this point it all becomes theological until you come to the end of the chapter). Most of the book is comprised of explaining the Doctrines of Grace. I don't know whether or not you would have a problem with that (my father does, he makes fun of it). However, I do know that it has been very influential in explaining the Doctrines of Grace to many people. It is called A Journey in Grace by Richard Belcher.

 

[CoffeeSwirls]

Why don't you try "Putting Amazing Back Into Grace" by Michael Horton? He has a very easy to read writing style and uses a great combination of Biblical truth and logical argiments to support all five points. I found that it was my point of view that made it difficult for me. Instead of saying that Christ didn't die to redeem those who are not elect, a better way to look at it is to say that all who Christ died for will be accounted for on the last day.

 

[Imblessed]

Grace Unknown by R.C. Sproul does a good job going over TULIP, and does an excellent job of explaining systematic theology also. It's a pretty easy read. It's the first book I got when I was trying to understand TULIP and Reformed theology.

 

[calmcoolandelected]

I have a book called, The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended and Documented, by David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas and S. Lance Quinn.


I like it because it is thorough (I haven't read any of the other books that have been recommeded to you). Here is the table of contents:

Part One-The Five Points Defined: Their origin and Contents

Points of Contention
The Protest of the Arminian Party
The Five Points of Arminianism
The Philosophical Basis of Arminianisn
A Five-Point Response to Arminianism

Calvinism and Arminianism Compared

The Historical Roots of Each System
The Controversy between Pelagius and Augustine
Semi-Pelagianism, the Forerunner of Arminianism
Calvinism, The Theology of the Reformation

The Difference Between Calvinism and Arminianism

The ONE Point of Calvinism

Part Two: The Five Points Defended: Their Biblical Support

Total Depravity or Total Inability
Spiritual Deadness
Darkened Minds and Corrupt Hearts
Bondage to Sin and Satan
A Universal Bondage
Inability to Change

Unconditional Election
A Chosen People
Election Not Based on Foreseen Responses
Election Precedes Salvation
Sovereign Mercy
Sovereignty over All Things

Particular Redemption or Limited Atonement
Jesus Actually Saves
Jesus Fulfills the Eternal Covenant
How Jesus Died for "All" and Yet for a Particular People

The Efficacious Call of the Spirit or Irresistible Grace
The Spirit Saves
The Spirit Gives New Birth
The Spirit Reveals the Secrets of God
The Spirit Gives Faith and Repentance
The Spirit Effctually Calls
Salvation, Given by a Sovereign God

The Perseverance of the Saints or the Security of Believers

Part Three: The Five Points Documented: Recommended Reading

Works Broadly on Calvinism and God's Sovereignty
Books Dealing in Whole or in Part with Calvinism or
Divine Sovereignty
Articles in Reference Works, Systematic Theologies, Etc.
Information Concerning Creeds and Confessions

Books on the Five Points Individually

Afterword by John MacArthur

Appendices

A: A Kinder, Gentler Calvinsim
B: Perseverance and Preservation
C: The Meaning of "Foreknew" in Romans 8:29
D: A Defense of Calvinism
E: The Practical Applications of Calvinism
F: The Practical Importance of the Doctrine of
Predestination
G: Calvinism and Arminianism Before and After:
A Brief Historical Sketch
H: The Cambridge Declaration of the Alliance of
Confessing Evangelicals

Index of Scriptures Quoted

Index of Persons


CC&E

 

[A New Dawn]

I have a book called, The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended and Documented, by David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas and S. Lance Quinn.

CC&E

Is this a currently-being-published book? Can we get it at the local Christian bookstore or online?

Thanks. It looks good.

 

[calmcoolandelected]

Is this a currently-being-published book? Can we get it at the local Christian bookstore or online?

Thanks. It looks good.

I doubt you will find it at your local Christian bookstore.
It is published by P&R Publishing (ISBN: 0-87552-827-9), paperback. I think I ordered via P&R or Amazon.

CC&E

 

[A New Dawn]

I doubt you will find it at your local Christian bookstore.
It is published by P&R Publishing (ISBN: 0-87552-827-9), paperback. I think I ordered via P&R or Amazon.

CC&E

They don't sell books that advocate Calvinism at Christian bookstores?

 

[frumanchu]

They don't sell books that advocate Calvinism at Christian bookstores?

Depends on which bookstore you go to

That particular book is primarily used in universities and not normally stocked on shelves. I bought my own copy after borrowing my mother's copy which was being used as a seminary textbook. It is an excellent book.

I'll see if I can point you in the direction of a copy.

 

[frumanchu]

You can get it here or here, both for $9.99 and actually from other sites at the same price).

Just Google "Five Points of Calvinism Steele" (without the quotes) and you'll find a lot of places to get it.

 

[A New Dawn]

Thanks, Frumanchu!

 

[JJB]

I like to support my local Christian bookstore as much as possible. I have them special order books for me. The owner and staff know me by now! It also lends itself to some discussions, which can be very interesting since the owner is a very well read woman!

 

[edie19]

They don't sell books that advocate Calvinism at Christian bookstores?

Sadly, I don't think they sell much theology at Christian bookstores.

The book by Horton is very good. For a very basic overview of reformed theology, R.C. Sproul has Essential Truths of the Christian Faith.

An excellent book on the doctrines of grace:

By His Grace and For His Glory by Dr. Thomas Nettles

 

[Tulip]

Somebody's talking about me? .....oh no the other T.U.L.I.P.

*Runs away and hide in Holland among thousands of Tulips.*

 

[calmcoolandelected]

They don't sell books that advocate Calvinism at Christian bookstores?

Jenda,

Here's a giggle for you! www.kingsmeadow.com look on the right side, under ARCHIVES. Click on 9/1/2005-9/30/2005 and then scroll down to 9-9-2005, "Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda".

CC&E

 

[calmcoolandelected]

You can order directly from P&R www.prpbooks.com or from Amazon.

CC&E