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What would be suggested Non Calvinist Systematic theology readings then?
- Thread starter JesusFan
- Start date
DaveXR650
Well-Known Member
There is no equivalent but I would recommend John Wesley's Teachings, arranged by John Oden. Arminius Speaks, edited by John Wagner. Arminian and Baptist by J. Matthew Pinson. The Quest for Truth by F. Leroy Forlines. St. Paul's Catechism by Thomas Grantham.
That would get you started.
That would get you started.
I get as much enjoyment searching for a book as I do when I finally get it.
My recent favorite is Foundations of Evangelical Theology, [Logos link] a nine volume, up-to-date Systematic Theology that is enjoyably readable and quite complete.
I found that it was easier on my budget to get each volume individually as I read it, allowing time to absorb cushion the cost. (My favorite is Light in a Dark Place; The Doctrine of Scripture, by John S. Feinberg (Calvinist)
The authors of the volumes are of mixed theological background, so while some come from a Calvinist background, others... not so much.
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The obvious next choice would be Normal Geisler's Four Volume Systematic Theology [Logos link], (also recently released in an affordable PB - February 14, 2025)
Or there's a single-volume condensed version (2021)
You probably already have it though.
I'm unfamiliar with these below but they fit the description:
--- F. Leroy Fortunes, The Quest for Truth: Answering Life's Inescapable Questions (2001) is a theology textbook of the Free-Will Baptists.
--- Adam Harwood, Christian Theology: Biblical, Historical, and Systematic. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Academic, 2022. An anti-Calvinist systematic theology textbook in the Southern Baptist Convention.
Rob
My recent favorite is Foundations of Evangelical Theology, [Logos link] a nine volume, up-to-date Systematic Theology that is enjoyably readable and quite complete.
I found that it was easier on my budget to get each volume individually as I read it, allowing time to absorb cushion the cost. (My favorite is Light in a Dark Place; The Doctrine of Scripture, by John S. Feinberg (Calvinist)
The authors of the volumes are of mixed theological background, so while some come from a Calvinist background, others... not so much.
~~~~~~~~~~
The obvious next choice would be Normal Geisler's Four Volume Systematic Theology [Logos link], (also recently released in an affordable PB - February 14, 2025)
Or there's a single-volume condensed version (2021)
You probably already have it though.
I'm unfamiliar with these below but they fit the description:
--- F. Leroy Fortunes, The Quest for Truth: Answering Life's Inescapable Questions (2001) is a theology textbook of the Free-Will Baptists.
--- Adam Harwood, Christian Theology: Biblical, Historical, and Systematic. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Academic, 2022. An anti-Calvinist systematic theology textbook in the Southern Baptist Convention.
Rob
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DaveXR650
Well-Known Member
(F. Leroy Forlines) Yes. This book is excellent and whether you are a Calvinist and are wanting to see the other view or if you are not a Calvinist and want an articulate source of support for arguing against Calvinism this book is good. And he is fair and kind throughout the book and you will not be offended no matter where you stand.
Plus. He has a lot on world views in modern times and how to deal with that. A little like Schaeffer.
I've got Harwood's ST text on my wishlist.
It's going to be a while before I get it .... I just picked up two books last week that will require lots of mental energy to wade through.
Just yesterday an older, combative, mildly confused acquaintance/friend brought up the subject of infant death in our group study.
My answer revolved around trusting the character of God.
>God is just.
>>We can trust that he will do what's right.
>>>More than that we can only make guesses.
Well, Harwood wrote a book back in 2011 called, "The Spiritual Condition of Infants: A biblical-historical survey and systematic proposal."
I never bought that book, but I am interested and wonder how his thoughts on the matter have developed over the years.
“For those readers who have been reading through this book waiting for a declarative statement on the spiritual condition of infants, here it is: Infants are sin-stained, not guilty. Infants are not sinless because they inherit a sinful nature. But infants are not guilty because God judges our thoughts, attitudes, and actions, not our nature.”
Rob
It's going to be a while before I get it .... I just picked up two books last week that will require lots of mental energy to wade through.
Just yesterday an older, combative, mildly confused acquaintance/friend brought up the subject of infant death in our group study.
My answer revolved around trusting the character of God.
>God is just.
>>We can trust that he will do what's right.
>>>More than that we can only make guesses.
Well, Harwood wrote a book back in 2011 called, "The Spiritual Condition of Infants: A biblical-historical survey and systematic proposal."
I never bought that book, but I am interested and wonder how his thoughts on the matter have developed over the years.
“For those readers who have been reading through this book waiting for a declarative statement on the spiritual condition of infants, here it is: Infants are sin-stained, not guilty. Infants are not sinless because they inherit a sinful nature. But infants are not guilty because God judges our thoughts, attitudes, and actions, not our nature.”
Rob
DaveXR650
Well-Known Member
I read that and thought, "Does he know me"?
What I have noticed in many theology series, such as by Geisler and Erickson, they will portray themselves as "moderates", as holding to 2/3 points of doctrines of grace, and tend to say 5 pointers are hyper cals, yet 5 pointers are really just Calvinists
DaveXR650
Well-Known Member
Yes. But keep in mind that many hyper-cals are 5 pointers. I personally would not really consider myself a Calvinist. However; I love the Puritans and as far as theology goes, anyone who believes in a true offer of the gospel such that anyone who comes will be saved I have no problems with. That would include the greats like John Owen and Jonathan Edwards, both who clearly and explicitly taught that.
Yes, all are 5 pointers, but point was that Hyper cals small minority, not as majority who are "normal Calvinists", but many none cals lump both together
A five point Calvinist is not a hyper calvinist
DaveXR650
Well-Known Member
A hyper-Calvinist believes in either justification from eternity for the elect, or at least justification from the time Christ died for the elect. Most who believe that are 5 point Calvinists as a starting point. Five point Calvinists not only don't have to be hyper-Calvinists, but they many times believe in a true and real "offer" of salvation to all who come to Christ when the gospel is heard.
Often non-Calvinists use "hyper-Calvinist" to define anyone who believes the 5 points of the TULIP and they have published works where they say that. Often 5 point Calvinists deny that there can be a Calvinist that is less than 5 point and ridicule 4 point Calvinists as being ignorant or inauthentic, and they have published works stating that too. I get tired of it myself.
Yet another mindless "taint so."
Paul wrote Christ died as a ransom for all, not just for some.
Matthew wrote that false teachers prevented those entering the kingdom from going in, invalidating irresistible grace.
Mark wrote that a lost person was seeking eternal life, invalidating total spiritual inability.
Luke wrote that many of the lost would seek the narrow door, invaliding total spiritual inability.
John wrote Christ is the means of reconciliation for the whole of humanity, not just for some.
Peter wrote the we were once not a people, thus invalidating individual election before creation.
The only point of the TULIP confirmed by scripture is once saved, always saved as taught by John 3:16.
All Hypers
are 5 pointers
not all 5 pointers are Hyper
In like fashion
All reformed are Calvinists
Not all Calvinists are reformed
So you deny Christ died as a ransom for all, (Paul), false teachers prevented entry (Matthew), the rich young ruler sought eternal life (Mark), many seek the narrow door (Luke) Christ is the means of reconciliation (John), and we once were not a people (Peter)?
Note how this poster never addresses scripture, but simply makes up false charges about others to hide biblical truth.
It is better to study scripture, than to copy and paste opinions from those who are non-responsive.
Did you see an explanation of how people, supposedly under the influence of "Irresistible Grace" because they we "entering" the kingdom were prevented by false teachers? Nope. But a change the subject false charge is posted.
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Since lost sinners seek salvation, they have some spiritual ability, invalidating "Total Spiritual Inability."