2:4, Olsen, 99). Why would a good God create the universe when he knew the massive pain and injustices that would commence upon humans tasting the forbidden fruit? Chosen But Free (Bethany House, 2001) is evangelical Norm Geisler’s response to the 5-point Calvinism of R.C. Using the famous acronym TULIP, Olson finds the middle three doctrines—unconditional election, limited atonement (many Calvinists would prefer “particular atonement”), and irresistible (or “effectual”) grace—particularly troubling. Love and knowledge of God are the two sides of the same coin. By contrast, he has no such pleasure when a person dies without repentance. At the outset of this review, I wish to lay out all my cards on the table by stating that I disagree with Dr. Olsen that Calvinism teaches that “God is a moral monster.” In this review, I intend to demonstrate that at the root his argument is faulty, because he never engages the context of Scripture or offers any meaningful exegesis of the Word of God, but rather repeatedly appeals to man’s words about God than God’s Word itself. The historic Christian answer to the problem of evil and suffering is found in the example, as well as the identity of Jesus Christ. The unbeliever has not even begun to know God. To not judge them as false is to stand with them against the Almighty whose Word is clear as day. The Lord assures His people that his decrees and actions are righteous and holy. See All Formats. Revelation 21:1-3 speaks of God’s creating a new Heaven and a new Earth along with the Holy City- the New Jerusalem. Anyone who believes that God foreknows everything (a doctrine some theologians are now questioning), and that he created everything, must necessarily deal with the fact that God knew that sin and suffering would come into the world and yet proceeded with creation. reformation church history paperback. It is worth reading both by people newly energized in their faith by Calvinism, and by those who may have doubts about Calvinist tenets. But Olson finds it irrational to affirm that God is love and yet to believe that he substantially offers salvation only to the elect. What is going to... J.C. Ryle’s book Holiness stands as a cornerstone piece in the library of Christian classics. It seems like a matter of semantics. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Every argument is a standard argument against Calvinism, usually just … - 1 – www.tlee1128.com A Bible-Based Argument Against Calvinism (TULIP) by James Thomas Lee, Jr. 11/14/2012 08/09/2013 - 2 – For and Against Calvinism Pack: Horton, Michael, Olson, Roger E.: 0025986494285: Books - Amazon.ca Let us now turn to Ezek 18:32, 1 John 4:7-8, 1 Tim. Introduction Calvinist theology has been debated and promoted for centuries. The smaller group, today at least, comprises principled Arminians, defenders of the theological tradition of Jacobus Arminius, John Wesley, and Charles Finney. While God is sovereign in salvation, man is responsible for his own sin. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This book makes broad claims but at the end of the day fails, because it doesn’t support its claims and demonstrate why Calvinists are wrong from the Word of God. In short he shows his love by obeying the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31). No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Dave Jenkins is happily married to Sarah Jenkins. ... Reformed” —Against Calvinism is the only book of its kind to offer objections from a non-Calvinist perspective to the current wave of Calvinism among Christian youth. I used that term because Zondervan published For Calvinism first, and this book is the good or evil twin of that one – but Zondervan doesn’t appear to have a name for these related books (like a counterpoint series or something along those lines). The main problem with Olsen’s comments on 1 Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 are that the word all does not always mean all individuals in either Greek or English usage, so there is no compelling reason to conclude that the all in verses 4 and 6 in 1 Timothy refers to every single person. Even now Jesus serves as the great High Priest interceding for believers during their trials and difficulties. Thirdly, God allows evil and suffering because of the greater good that results from it. Kenneth J. Stewart –Ten Myths About Calvinism. Two-book pack containing award-winning author Michael Horton's For Calvinism and Roger Olson's Against Calvinism. In Against Calvinism, readers will find scholarly arguments explaining why Calvinist theology is incorrect and how it affects God’s reputation. God expresses more concern for his children than their comfort. The system of calvinism is completely foreign to Holy Writ and worship to a false god which always has devils behind it and it ultimately the worship of Satan himself (1 Corinthians 10:19-21). But again, this distinction isn’t particularly convincing. After these cataclysmic eschatological events, the Lord will bring forth the new creation, forever free from evil and its consequences. I don’t think that most Calvinists will find this a convincing argument, because Olson seems to be insisting that God must prove his love in a way that meets contemporary sensibilities about what love means. [iv] John Owen, “The Death of Death in the Death of Christ: A Treatise of the Redemption and Reconciliation That is in the blood of Christ,” The Works of John Owen, vol.10, ed William H. Goold, (London: Banner of Truth, 1967), 173-174.). No Comments. John with the phrase whoever does not love does not know God compares the believer with the unbeliever and observes that when love is absent knowledge of God is nonexistent. Olson welcomes the rigorous theology of the new Calvinists but sees traditional Arminianism as a more biblical, rational alternative. Dave received his MAR and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. One of Olsen’s main’s points that he makes in this book is that the “Calvinist account of God’s sovereignty inevitably makes God the author of sin, evil and innocent suffering (such as the children of the Holocaust) and thereby impugns the integrity of God’s character as good and loving. As Olson readily acknowledges, the new Calvinism is rooted in dissatisfaction with the relative vapidity of much contemporary evangelical teaching. God is acquainted with suffering for God has suffered in Christ. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”. Determined to Believe? Sovereignty of God. At the heart of all of Dr. Olsen’s objections about Calvinism in Against Calvinism and the focus of this review is the following statement that, “The high Calvinist doctrine of God’s sovereignty including evil as part of God’s plan, purpose and determining power blatantly contradicts Scripture passages that reveal “God is love” (1 John 4:8), takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. I requested this book to be given as a gift to my niece, who loves to read. John the author of this epistle makes it clear that everyone who loves God has been born of God and knows God. As the writer of Hebrews declares: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons” (Hebrews 12:7). Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: Macmillan, 1962), 93. The impression that these Calvinists are making on college students and seminarians is not likely to pass quickly. 5:3; Heb. The History of a Movement in Crisis (Yale, 2019); Benjamin Franklin: The Religious Life of a Founding Father (Yale, 2017); Baptists in America: A History with Barry Hankins (Oxford, 2015); George Whitefield: America’s Spiritual Founding Father (Yale, 2014); and Patrick Henry: First Among Patriots (Basic, 2011). Nor is God, in his decisions, subject to the critique of finite and imperfect human beings. In Against Calvinism, readers will find scholarly arguments explaining why Calvinist theology is incorrect and how it affects God’s reputation. But Olson’s notion that the creator God “permitted” evil and suffering doesn’t solve his theodicean dilemma any more adequately than does Calvinism. Given that the most recent English translation is a … By contrast, the unbeliever does not love God because he does not know God. The person who is born of God is a window through which the love of God shines into the world. Fourth and foremost, the sinfulness of mankind fits the sovereign plan of God for the purposes of His own self-glorification. 18:32), wants everyone to be saved (Ezek. As a Calvinist reading this will challenge you, but the lack of evidence from Scripture will leave you more resolved about where you stand. 3:1); whom he opposeth to the “scoffers” of the “last days,” verse 3; to whom the Lord hath respect in the disposal of these days; who are said to be “elect” (Matthew 24:22). Secondly, God may use evil and suffering to build the moral and spiritual character of His people or to express fatherly discipline (Rom. Buy Against Calvinism by Roger E Olson (ISBN: 9780310324676) online at Alibris. Your email address will not be published. 1 John 4:7-8, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. At the heart of all God is John teaches is the fact that God is love. The principled Arminians seem beleaguered when set in contrast to the vibrancy of the “new Calvinism,” Olson’s primary opponent in his book Against Calvinism. Against Calvinism: Rescuing God's Reputation from Radical Reformed Theology Audible Audiobook – Unabridged. In the title of this post I wrote that Against Calvinism is a counterpoint book. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan as part of their Blogger Review Program. 1, d. Whitney J. Oates (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992). In this book Olsen is standing up and saying “No!” to what he calls “Egregious statements about God’s sovereignty often made by Calvinists” (Olsen, 23). God delays in His coming because He is patient and desires the time for His people to repent. Olsen, a professor of theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University would say yes. [iii], When examining this verse, Puritan theologian John Owen asks, “Who are these of whom the apostle speaks?” Owen then goes to explain that such as had received “great and precious promises,” chap. In conclusion, the main problem with Olsen’s argument is that nowhere does he engage in meaningful exegesis of the Scripture. by Dave Jenkins | Dec 27, 2011 | Christian Living. 1:4, whom he calls “beloved” (chap. [viii] C.S. )Recommended Article FROM https://servantsofgrace.org/2011/12/27/book-review-against-calvinism/ SPONSOR-…, Top Posts from December 2011 on Servants Of Grace | Servants of Grace - [...] #1: Book Review: Against Calvinism by Roger Olsen Reviewed by Dave Jenkins– https://www.servantsofgrace.org/2011/12/27/book-review-against-calvinism/ [...]. By GOL June 27, 2012 June 21st, 2019 Blog, Five Points of Calvinism. The God of Calvinism is at best morally ambiguous and at worst a moral monster hardly distinguishable from the devil. Christians can and should confront evil and suffering in a powerfully practical way by comforting those afflicted by evil and by easing the suffering of the people around them. Out of this horrible incident of malice and agony came divine redemption for sinners. Turn and live is a call to repent and avoid physical and eternal death. First, I will not be engaging everything Olsen has written in this book. Thus the appeal it to make yourselves a new heart and spirit, in contrast to 11:19 and 36:26, are a gift of God. Owen bringing his argument into focus states that those who argue that because God would have none to perish but that all of them to come to repentance, therefore he hath the same will and mind towards all and everyone in the world (Even those to whom he never makes known his will, nor ever calls to repentance, if they never once hear of his way of salvation), comes not only short of extreme madness and folly.[iv]. OR. Olsen wants his readers to believe that Calvinism is “not biblically, theologically or logically tenable” (Olsen, 101), but by his lack of exegesis he has shown that his alternative to Calvinism is not biblically, theologically or logically tenable. As C.S. The question is, “Does Olsen’s explanation of 1 John 4:8, 1 Timothy 2:4 an 2 Peter 3:9 do justice to those texts or damage to those texts?” In other words, “Does Olsen’s explanation of those passages supported by the passage themselves, or is he imposing his theological categories upon 1 John 4:8, 1 Timothy 2:4, and 2 Peter 3:9?”. Ezekiel was a preacher of repentance and of God’s offer of mercy to the penitent. Without knowledge of God, there is no love. This book is by a theologian who many would say is a hyper-Calvinist. Satan and his forces are already defeated foes with Christ’s first coming as Savior (Hebrews 2:14-15), and all evil and human sin will forever be vanquished at Christ’s second coming as Judge and King (Revelation 21). $26.99. God’s classic discussion with Job concerning the problem of evil and suffering subsequently reveals God’s inscrutable wisdom and Job’s limited comprehension of the Creator’s purpose in creation and redemption (Job 38:1-11; Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 11:33-36). Courage is forged only through facing one’s fears; just as steel must be refined by fire. Calvinists prefer to see all history as having a point, mysterious though it may seem to our limited understanding, and that all things, whether permitted or planned, ultimately point to God’s glory. The person who fails to commune with God in prayer and neglects to read the Bible cannot be the instrument through which God demonstrates His divine power. Calvinism appeals to this generation by moving beyond therapeutic pabulum and engaging hard truths about sin and the ugliness of the human condition, and contrasts those truths with the fresh shock of God’s grace to people such as us. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. In Against Calvinism, readers will find scholarly arguments explaining why Calvinist theology is incorrect and how it affects God’s reputation. Jesus Christ, none other than God in human flesh, came to reveal God’s love to humanity. In one... Introduction I have to begin this review with a bit of honesty: I’ve read a lot of books on marriage, so when I first pulled out Biblical Marriage: Two Sinners and a Gracious God by John-William Noble, I thought to myself, “Another marriage book, huh? In the Gospel God stretches out His hand to all without difference, but lays hold of only of those, to lead them to Himself, whom He has chosen before the foundation of the world. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. Calvinist theology has been debated and promoted for centuries. Multiple readings have ensued, and I turn back to Schaeffer’s book again and again for help with apologetics. Olsen teaches that the Calvinist view contradicts 1 John 4:8 that God is love but even the context of 1 John 4:8 does not support this interpretation. The crux of Olson’s argument against Calvinism is that its key tenets impugn God’s character. Packer, introduction to John Owen, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1983), note 12. Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. Roger E. Olson (Author), Maurice England (Narrator), Zondervan Academic (Publisher) & 0 more. The problem is that, first, there are no new arguments here. Jesus is not aloof or indifferent to human anguish, for he suffered as a man. In his opinion, “what is missing in bookstores today is a book demonstrating why high Calvinism is not biblically, theologically, or logically tenable” (Olsen, 101). I find that Olson's book "Against Calvinism" comes from a rather exotic view; It is a new view of scripture which is not found in the mainstream Evangelical views. Second, God calls His children to live a life of faith (confidence and trust) in the goodness and sovereignty of God despite the presence of evil and suffering. Though he as perfectly holy and blameless, he was rejected by both the religious and political authorities, falsely accused, convicted, and subsequently beaten and executed as a common criminal. For faith to grow, it often has to be tested by fire. The assuring guarantee for the Christian, however, is that God does not allow evil and suffering to come into a believer’s life without producing a greater good for that person. Therefore this passage has nothing to teach about whether God desires everyone to be saved or whether God takes pleasure or displeasure in the death of the wicked. [ii] John Calvin, Commentary on Hebrews, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus & Philemon trans. Roger Olson suggests that Calvinism, also commonly known as Reformed theology, holds an unwarranted place in our list of accepted theologies. 13:7-9; Luke 13:1-5; John 9). The patriarch Abraham declares in Genesis 18:25, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” And the Psalmist proclaims in Psalm 89:14, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.” Dr. Greg Bahnsen considered one of the greatest apologists in church history said, “While God has a morally justifiable reason for all he does, as the sovereign ruler of the universe the Lord seldom chooses to explain himself to his creatures.”[vi]. Rewind Sale - Best Titles of the Year at Huge Savings! Before we get into the review its important for you the reader to get an idea of the argument Dr. Olsen makes in Against Calvinism. How Bad Is This Moment in American History? This is the second year in a row a book by Kidd has made my “best of” list and for good reason. John Calvin (shelved 21 times as calvinism) ... Against Calvinism: Rescuing God's Reputation from Radical Reformed Theology (Paperback) by. This is not what the context or the passage teaches. ... calvinism nook books. When being prodded regarding the issue of a fully good and loving God, and, the existence of evil in the creation, Wilson responded that God planned the evil from all eternity as part of His perfect plan for creation. what is happening today is a surprise to him. While he clearly demonstrates an understanding of Calvin, Edwards, Piper, and Sproul the heart of his complaint in Against Calvinism is that “high Calvinism is not biblically, theologically, or logically tenable” (Olsen, 101). Olson thinks that deferring to the mystery of God’s decrees is a cop-out, and repeatedly criticizes Piper, in particular, for deferring to the complexity of God’s biblically revealed motivations. In Against Calvinism, readers will find scholarly arguments explaining why Calvinist theology is incorrect and how it affects God's reputation. These chapters list hundreds of verses upholding the absolutesovereignty of God and the five points of Calvinism. David J. Engelsma –Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel. Learn how your comment data is processed. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”. Therefore God uses evil and suffering to facilitate the believers’ moral and spiritual maturity. Christian Nationalism vs. Christian Patriotism, American Christians and Islam: From the Colonial Era to the Post-9/11 World. It states that God chose not to look into the present age, and as I perceive it. At the outset of this review I wish to make mention of three things that will help you to understand how I am reviewing this book. Jesus suffered the agony of Roman capital punishment- crucifixion. 18:32), wants everyone to be saved (Ezek. 2:4, and 2 Peter 3:9 to see if Scripture itself supports Dr. Olsen’s assertions regarding Calvinism. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, and sound theology. But is this assessment fair to the Calvinist position or consistent with Scripture? [vii] Augustine, The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope and Love, Ch.11, in the Basic Writings of Saint Augustine, vol. In Against Calvinism, readers will find scholarly arguments explaining why Calvinist theology is incorrect and how it affects God’s reputation. It’s now important to turn to discuss what the Bible actually teaches about sin, evil and suffering. In Against Calvinism, readers will find scholarly arguments explaining why Calvinist theology is incorrect and how it affects God’s reputation. Olson draws on a variety of sources, including Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience, to support his critique of Calvinism and the more historically rich, biblically faithful alternative theologies he proposes. This is important to note because it helps signify who the “all” is in 2 Peter 3:9. [i], Peter addressed his epistle “To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). First, God may use evil and suffering to get an unbeliever’s attention and ultimately draw the person to Himself (Zech. The large group comprises American evangelicals and mainliners for whom common-sense Arminianism is the default theological position. George Whitefield: America’s Spiritual Founding Father, Inauguration Day in a Time of Crisis: How to Pray, The FAQs: What Christians Should Know About QAnon, The Fantasy Ideology of the American Insurrectionists, The Countries Where It’s Most Dangerous to Be a Christian in 2021. But is it a theology that should last? 18:32; 1 Tim. 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