Evangelical Calvinism, a book review [Calvinist Caucus thread]

Banner of Truth ^ | Kenneth D Macleod

[Alex Murphy]

Evangelistic Calvinism, Why the Doctrines of Grace Are Good News is written by John Benton, and published by the Banner of Truth Trust, as a booklet of 31 pages. The questions this booklet addresses are:

Does Calvinistic preaching - that is, true scriptural preaching - hinder the proclamation of the love of Christ to a dying world?
Is it a stumbling block that prevents sinners being saved?

The author answers these questions in terms of the Five Points of Calvinism - the response of the Synod of Dort to the Arminian errors which caused such division in the Dutch Church of the early seventeenth century.

Accordingly he deals in turn with Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Final Perseverance. For instance, Dr Benton lays stress on the unconditional nature of election and points out how it answers the objection of the careless individual who responds to the gospel with: "Sorry, but I'm not that type". The gospel is not for any particular type; it is without conditions; it is for sinners of every conceivable type.

He comes to the conclusion that:

(1) "the Five Points of Calvinism are full of cogent and loving evangelistic arguments which persuade sinners to come to Christ" and

(2) "the doctrines of grace are full of pastoral encouragement and consolation and, when carefully explained, will surely promote healthy Christian growth and living in our churches".

This booklet contains much excellent teaching. The only major complaint is the Bible Version used. [ed. the NIV is used]

[LiteKeeper]

NOTE: "Evangelical" and "evangelism" are not the same thing.

[Salvation]

A book review is cause for a "caucus" thread?

I don't think so, and I guess I disagree with anyone who does.

To me, Caucus threads are only for prayer and or devotions.

[Alex Murphy]

A book review is cause for a "caucus" thread? I don't think so, and I guess I disagree with anyone who does. To me, Caucus threads are only for prayer and or devotions.

Take it up with the Mods. And stop disrupting our caucus threads, or risk losing your own.

[Religion Moderator]

To me, Caucus threads are only for prayer and or devotions.

Disagreeing with me is not an excuse to ignore my guidelines. Do not disrupt caucus threads.

[Rippin]

NOTE: "Evangelical" and "evangelism" are not the same thing.

---

Nor are 'evangelistic' and evangelical

[LiteKeeper]

and that is what I meant to say :-)

[alpha-8-25-02]

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByTopic/7/
JOHN PIPER IS A EVANGELIST AND 5-POINTS!

SPURGEON PREACHED TO 5000 ON ANY GIVEN LORD'S DAY AND HE WAS A CALVINIST.

OUR HOME CHURCH IS SOVERIEGN GRACE,WE SUPPORT MISSIONS AND OUTREACH LOCALLY BY MEDIA,COUNSELLING,CRISIS RESPONSE AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

[jboot]

I guess I'll have to get this one.

I think that I must be singlehandedly be keeping Banner of Truth in business sometimes.

[Lexinom]

The Five Points are an important part of our history, but are not in my opinion a good general framework. They were formulated by godly men such as Gomarus and Uitenbogaard (with help from such notables as William Ames) as five specific responses to five complaints from the Remonstrants, followers of Jacob Harmsen (Arminius) who had died nine years previous to the Synod.

Practically, Calvinism aids evangelism with its high view of the promises of God - that His Word will not return void (Is. 55:11). The evangelist is not responsible for the germination of the seeds planted. He must only sow the seeds, warning both wicked and righteous (cf. Eze. 5) of their utter poverty, pointing the way to the cross, and letting the Holy Spirit do His work. His ministry is enhanced considerably through heartfelt prayer for his hearers, and his optimism bolstered by the promise that "he who has ears to hear" shall indeed hear with the ears of faith.

That is Calvinism's great contribution to evangelism: confidence.