For Calvinism
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The system of theology known as Calvinism has been immensely influential for the past five hundred years, but it is often encountered negatively as a fatalistic belief system that confines human freedom and renders human action and choice irrelevant. Taking us beyond the caricatures, Michael Horton invites us to explore the teachings of Calvinism, also commonly known as Reformed theology, by showing us how it is biblical and God-centered, leading us to live our lives for the glory of God.Horton explores the historical roots of Calvinism, walking readers through the distinctive known as the "Five Points," and encouraging us to consider its rich resources for faith and practice in the 21st Century. As a companion to Roger Olson's Against Calvinism, readers will be able to compare contrasting perspectives and form their own opinions on the merits and weaknesses of Calvinism.
Featured Series
1 released bookFor and Against is a 3-book series first released in 2011 with contributions by Roger E. Olson and Michael S. Horton.
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Short review: I am giving this 3 stars here (and I gave it 4 on Amazon). I keep going back and forth. I think this is a helpful, moderate, grace-filled presentation of Calvinism. And it helped further clarify why I am not a Calvinist. But if I were a Calvinist, I think I would want to be one like Michael Horton. The problem is that I still cannot get over my objections to Calvinism. I still do not understand how God cannot be responsible for Evil under Calvinism (I know that Calvinists find that objection anathema, they do not believe that God is responsible for evil.) I still cannot agree with Christ dying for a subset of humanity (whether that subset it large or small). And I still have difficulty with Calvinism's conception of free will, although I am coming to understand their view, I just am not ready to accept it.
In the end, I am still not really Arminian or Calvinist. Both sides seem to have the truth in part and pushing either side too far seems to end up with the house of cards falling down around them.
I don't want to be jumping on a band-wagon too much, but I keep ending up with Scot McKnight's book King Jesus Gospel. I think if we misunderstand what the gospel is, then we end up in the wrong place. So the debate between Calvinism and Arminianism ends up in the wrong place because it is focused on salvation instead of Christ as King and Lord of All. Both sides want to be focusing on Christ, but end up spending most of their time dealing with human issues and side tracked.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/for-calvinism/
