Sincere Question

[Pastor_Bob]

I am looking for a book(s) that deals honestly with the topics of Calvinism & Arminianism, each from a dissenting viewpoint. In other words, a book that would accurately represent (as opposed to misrepresent) the opposing tenets of theology by quotes and other documentation and then attempt to refute it with Scripture. Do such books even exist?

 

[JonC]

I thought Robert Picirilli did a good enough job with "Grace, Faith, Free Will". I do not hold to his position ("Reformation Arminianism"), and there is one place I thought he went astray when it comes to Calvinism (that the difference in election is not whether it is conditional or unconditional, but who meets the condition). But all in all, I think that he did a fairly good job at representing Calvinism (which was to him the opposing view).

 

[Iconoclast]

I am looking for a book(s) that deals honestly with the topics of Calvinism & Arminianism, each from a dissenting viewpoint. In other words, a book that would accurately represent (as opposed to misrepresent) the opposing tenets of theology by quotes and other documentation and then attempt to refute it with Scripture. Do such books even exist?

WR.Downing has put out a 500 pg book on Calvinism and Armenian ism
He has over 100 pages dealing with Charles Finney with direct quotes from all the major persons.....when I get to my computer I can offer you some samples from it.....

 

[glad4mercy]

I enjoyed "Debating Calvinism" co-written by Calvinist James White and Arminian Dave Hunt.

Note: I am a moderate Arminian, but I love James White and am practically addicted to "Dividing Line"

Also, there are different types of Arminianism, it covers a wide range. I am an Arminian, but I have been called a Calvinist by other Arminians. So there is a lot of misunderstanding between Arminians and Calvinists because of extremes on both sides. I think the two systems (when the radical forms are excluded) are closer than a lot of people realize.

For example, I am a monergist, but most people think Arminians are automatically synergistic. I also flatly deny "open Theism" which some Arminians hold.

So I think it is best to look at those who are balanced in their approach, as much as possible

 

[Iconoclast]

http://www.lulu.com/shop/wr-downing...nd-arminianism/paperback/product-1210407.html

 

[Iconoclast]

Here is a portion of the table of contents;
Charles G. Finney And Modern Pelagianism 320
Introduction 320
The Significance Of Charles Finney 321
Finney And The “Second Great Awakening” 322
The Life Of Charles G. Finney 323
Early Life 323
Conversion 324
Ministerial Education 324
Early Ministry And “Revivals” 325
First Pastorates 326
Oberlin And Later Life 327
New England Theology From Edwards To Finney 327
Jonathan Edwards 328
Joseph Bellamy 329
Samuel Hopkins 330
Jonathan Edwards, Jr. 330
Nathaniel Emmons 330
Timothy Dwight 331
Nathaniel W. Taylor 331
12
Charles G. Finney And Asa Mahan 332
The Pelagianism Of Charles G. Finney 333
The Common Ground Between Evangelical Arminianism And Modern Pelagianism 333
The Differences Between Evangelical Arminianism And Modern Pelagianism 335
The Distinctives Of Finney’s System 335
The “New Measures” 358
The Origin Of The “New Measures” 358
A Description Of The “New Measures” 359
Finney’s Defense Of The “New Measures” 360
The Wide Acceptance Of The “New Measures” 362
The Transition From Revival To Revivalism 363
An Important Note 363
A Definition Of Terms 363
Revivalism In Nineteenth Century American And British Christianity 364
A Critical Review Of The Western “Revivals” 366
Early Reactions To “Revivalism” 368
The Nature Of Revival: A Mixed Work 372
The Aftermath: Men, Movements And Attitudes 375
From Wesley To Finney And Beyond 375
Modern Fundamentalism And Evangelicalism 375
Modern Theology 379
Modern Religious Idiosyncrasies 385
Social Issues 385
Pentecostalism And The Keswick Movement 386
Calvinism And Arminianism Among The Baptists 387
Introduction 387
Baptists, Calvinism And History 387
Baptists Historically Calvinistic 387
Beyond Calvinism And Arminianism 388
Baptist Doctrine And Practice 388
13
The Origin And History Of The Baptists 392
Baptist Distinctives 393
The Origin Of The Baptists: Four Views 395
Modern Baptists 402
Baptists In The Seventeenth Century 403
Baptists In The Eighteenth Century 408
Baptists In The Nineteenth Century 410
Baptists In The Twentieth Century 412
Appendix 1: Divine Predestination 418
Introduction 418
Presuppositions 422
Biblical Presuppositions 422
Theological Presuppositions 424
Definitions 428
Predestination 428
Biblical Terms 429
Predestination And A World–And–Life View 440
Predestination And Creation 441
God Is Sovereign In Creation 441
God Is Sovereign Over Creation 442
Predestination And History 442
What Is History? 442
The Flow Of History 443
The Meaning Of History 443
History Is Christocentric, Redemptive, And Teleological 444
Predestination–Circumstances–The Free Acts Of Men 444
God Is Sovereign Over All Circumstances 444
God Is Sovereign Over The Free Acts Of Men 445
Predestination And Prayer 446
A Definition Of Prayer 446
The Presuppositions Of Prayer 447
Why Pray If Everything Is Predestined? 447
14
The Scriptural Significance Of Prayer 448
Predestination And Prophecy 448
The Nature Of Prophecy 448
The Phenomenon Of Prediction 449
The Presuppositions Of Prophecy 449
Objections To Predestination 449
Natural Objections 449
Philosophical Objections 450
Biblical Objections 452
Appendix 2: The Origin Of Sin And The Problem Of Evil 459
Introduction 459
Presuppositions–Limitations–Scriptures 459
The Mystery Of Evil 459
Divine Sovereignty 460
Philosophers And Theologians 460
The Origin Of Sin 461
Scriptural Statements 461
The Scriptural Record 461
The Problem Of Evil 462
Scriptural Statements 462
The Essential Issue And Possible Answers 466
God Is Sovereign Over Evil: Considerations And Implications 467

 

[Iconoclast]

Pastor Bob,

If you would like a sample from the book let me know and I will post it...
There is more in the table of contents, let me know if something caught your eye

 

[Revmitchell]

 

[Pastor_Bob]

Pastor Bob,

If you would like a sample from the book let me know and I will post it...
There is more in the table of contents, let me know if something caught your eye

Thank you. I just saw the link you posted. I'll purchase that work.

 

[Pastor_Bob]

I just received and am reading a small booklet that was recommended entitled TULIP and the Bible by Dave Hunt. In it he claims to have allowed Calvinists to preview the work and make suggestions if he in any way misrepresented their beliefs or took a quote out of context. Can anyone speak to the truthfulness of his claim?

 

[TCassidy]

by Dave Hunt

One of the very, very worst writers ever.

See for yourself.

 

[Rob_BW]

I seem to remember either the forward or maybe the first chapter of Olsen's Against Calvinism being available online.

 

[Pastor_Bob]

One of the very, very worst writers ever.

What, in your opinion, makes him one the worst writers ever? Is it all his writings or just his works on Calvinism? I've read only the small booklet I mentioned above. So far, I've seen nothing unethical.

 

[TCassidy]

His research is poor to non-existent. He takes quotes out of context. He fails to understand the things he quotes. He majors in straw-man arguments, and his conclusions are usually just his a-priori assumptions restated in different words.

 

[rlvaughn]

Pastor Bob,

I have benefited in the past from some of the counterpoint style books in which authors present their differing views and they are critiqued by other authors. There is a book like that from Intervarsity Press, Predestination & Free Will: Four Views of Divine Sovereignty & Human Freedom. IVPress says this, "Each writer argues for his perspective and applies his theory to two practical case studies. Then the other writers respond to each of the major essays, exposing what they see as fallacies and hidden assumptions."

I don't have this book, so I can't say how good it is. But Google Books has a preview, so you might be able to look there and get an idea of what you think.
Predestination & Free Will: Four Views of Divine Sovereignty & Human Freedom

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

What about Against Calvinism by Olsen (Baptist) and For Calvinism by Horton (Reformed). Interestingly, Horton wrote the foreword for Olsen's book and vice versa. You can either buy via Amazon or read online.

 

[Pastor_Bob]

I just received The Other Side of Calvinism by Vance. Anyone read this book and can speak to his representation of Calvinism?

 

[steaver]

After studying this issue for approximately three years I came to the conclusion that the only book which will deal with this topic honestly and without bias is the Holy Bible.

It is my conclusion that if one studies the scriptures without a preconceived opinion and much prayer for the truth they will conclude as I have that both election unto eternal life and freewill choice unto eternal life both are truths revealed in the scriptures.

These are not pitched as one against the other as satan has provided for the body of Christ to divide itself with, but rather can be found in harmony one with the other when one first accepts both are equally true.

You say how can both be true? Because that is what God has revealed unto us. If this bothers you then study and pray and seek why both are true. If you seek to destroy one for the sake of the other you will end up like all the others fighting and destroying the unity Christ meant for His children to have with one another.

Maybe it would suffice for the body of Christ just to accept both are true and leave the mysterious details with God and just love one another and go into the world seeking the lost sheep that need to be found.