The Arminian and Calvinist Controversy

I. Introduction: Why?

II. Historical Background

III. The Five Points of Arminian Theology

IV. The Five Points of Calvinistic Theology

V. Who was Who?

VI. A Word About Schism

VII. Conclusion

VIII. A Brief Bibliography From Spurgeon!
I. INTRODUCTION: WHY?

One young theological student made the following awkward entry into his
journal:

I am becoming increasingly reticent of (sic) employing the terms 'Calvinism'
and/or 'Calvinist'. They are unbecoming both historically and spiritually.
Were we to consistently use these terms and pin them to those holding to the
theology they represent we would have to call St. Augustine a 'Calvinist'
which would be historically awkward. We would have to call St. Paul a
'Calvinist' and that would be spiritually uncomfortable. But we would also
have to call our Lord a 'Calvinist' and that thought is morally repulsive.

In I Corinthians 1. 11- 17 Paul writes:

For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people,
that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is
saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of
Christ." Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or
were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of
you except Crispus and Gaius that no man should say you were baptized in my
name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do
not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to
baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the
cross of Christ should not be made void.

By reviewing this historical controversy between those called Arminians and
those called Calvinists are we guilty of disobeying the admonition found in
Paul's text? Without a doubt many throughout the history of the Church, as
well as the history of this particular controversy, have violated this
Scriptural exhortation. There have been men and groups who have aligned
themselves behind human teachers and personalities, thus dividing Christ.
But is there any substance to this issue? It is unfortunate that two men's
names have become the labels for these two distinctly different ways of
viewing God's Word. Though attention will not be given to this, it is
historically accurate to state that both of these systems of theology
pre-existed their own namesakes. This being the case, this controversy ought
not to be viewed as a siding or identifying with one man over and against
another man. These two systems of theology represent two contrasting views
of God and His revealed Word. There are irreconcilable differences between
these two systems. There are results and effects that do follow out from
these two positions. It is important to determine what the Scriptures teach,
for what we believe truly does affect how we walk and worship (Proverbs
23:7). In the final analysis it must never be which man or which theology
most appeals to us personally that decides the case. As with every issue of
truth the only important question and purpose of resolve is

What Do the Scriptures Say?

This pamphlet seeks to be only a very brief outline with a view to
constructing an historical and theological definition of these two
contradicting theologies. Hopefully, further study on the part of the reader
will be it's fruit. It is important that we understand what the Bible
teaches and that we comply with it fully. For Paul has said:

Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God
not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the
hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who
does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:14 -15 (emphasis is mine)

II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The setting for this controversy is the early 1600s at the conclusion of the
German Reformation. A Dutchman named Jacob Hermann had studied under
Theodore Beza, John Calvin's successor in Geneva. He returned to his native
Holland to teach. Hermann Latinized his last name and became Jacob Arminius.
It was in Holland that he began to question the doctrines of election, man's
will, as well as the nature and the extent of Christ's atoning work. His
followers came to be known as Remonstrants and later, after Hermann's death,
Arminians. The Arminians systematized their theological views into five
points of doctrine and issued a document known as the "Remonstrance of
1610." As the result of this publication, the theology of the Arminians
spread throughout Holland. Ultimately, the Dutch Church summoned a
conference to review and decide the conflicting issues. This conference was
called the Synod of Dort which convened from November of 1618 until May of
1619. After seven months and 154 sessions of review, the "Five Points of
Arminian Theology" were declared to be at variance with the Scriptures. They
were labeled heretical and their proponents heretics. The findings of this
Synod were published in a document entitled the "Canons of Dort." This
document critiques each of the five points of Arminian theology from the
biblical perspective. It is somewhat regrettable that these five responses
have come to be called the "Five Points of Calvinism." Though these
responses accurately reflect the teaching of John Calvin, they did not
originate with the Swiss Reformer. These same doctrinal tenets are found to
varying degrees in the writings of Martin Luther (1500s), John Hus (1400s),
Anselm of Canterbury (1100s), Augustine of Hippo (St. Augustine of the 400s)
and ultimately they find their source in the Scriptures, especially apparent
in Paul's epistles.

Although condemned as heretical and persecuted by the Dutch Church and
government of the day, Arminianism continued to flourish as a heretical
defection from orthodox Christianity. Ironically, within twenty years of the
controversy a seminary devoted to the teaching of Arminianism was founded in
Amsterdam by Simon Episcopius. And of course, Arminianism prospers in our
own day throughout the Church.
 

III. THE FIVE POINTS OF ARMINIAN THEOLOGY

Point I

FREE WILL - This debate has continued throughout the history of the Church.
In the 1500s two learned men published their views in treatise form: Erasmus
of Rotterdam, On the Freedom of the Will, and Martin Luther, On the Bondage
of the Will. The Arminians adopted views that paralleled the work of
Erasmus, believing that man possesses a free and independent will. By this
it is meant that in Eden, man's fall only partially affected his ability to
choose. The will of man is neutral and not determined by his nature,
therefore it is autonomous and free of any binding persuasion towards
unrighteousness and sin.

John 3:16, Acts 2:38, & 16:31, Romans 10:9, 1 John 3:23.

Point 2

CONDITIONAL ELECTION - The Arminian believes that God's election unto
salvation is based upon His fore-knowing the free will choices of men with
regard to their own salvation. In other words, in eternity-past God observed
certain men freely choosing Christ. In response to that pre-observed choice,
God, in turn, chose those men and called them the elect. Election,
therefore, is conditioned by and based upon the free will choices made by
men and observed in advance by God.

Proverbs 3:5, Matthew 8:2, Mark 1:15 & 11:22, John 5:24, Romans 11:2, 1
Peter 1:1-2.

Point 3

UNIVERSAL ATONEMENT - The Arminian believes that in order to accommodate
man's free will, Christ took to the Cross the sins of every human being
without exception. The death of Christ does not save any individual, rather
it makes salvation possible for every individual.7 The cross is thereby
limited as to its nature, becoming an incomplete work, ineffectual until
completed by the free will work of man.8 It is the free will choice of man
to accept Christ's work that completes salvation (e.g. man's decision to
receive Christ accomplishes, secures, and completes an atonement which
Christ did not "finish" at Calvary Himself).

John 1:12 & 29, 3:16, & 6:37; 1 Timothy 2:3-6, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 2:29.

Point 4

OBSTRUCTABLE GRACE - The Arminian believes that the Holy Spirit merely woos
the man, but salvation rests ultimately upon that man's free will response
to the Holy Spirit's persuasion. The free will of man can and does thwart
and refuse the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation. It is man's volition,
or willingness to cooperate with God that can either support or frustrate
God's desire to save. With this concept of salvation great importance and
weight is laid upon the work of man. The Arminian believes that the logical
order of salvation is: first, man chooses Christ and exercises faith in Him,
then, as the result of that activity the Holy Spirit regenerates him. First
man believes, then, man is born again. The Arminian believes that faith
precedes regeneration, and is the cause of that regeneration, giving, as it
were, the go-ahead to the Holy Spirit to do His assigned work.

John 1:12, 3:18-21 & 36, John 5:40, & 8:45, John 5:24 (often taught as two
conditions with three results although the final verb tense precludes this
interpretation - perfect tense, also with I John 5:1).
 
 

Point 5

FALLING FROM GRACE - The Arminian believes that since man chooses for
himself salvation, he can likewise choose to fall away from it. By man's
choice salvation is acquired, sustained, or rejected at any given time. This
is the necessary conclusion if one is to maintain the free will of man. A
man must be as free to get out of salvation as he was to get in to
salvation, lest God become guilty of violating that man's free will.

Galatians 5:4, Hebrews 6:4-6.

SUMMARY - The Arminian believes that at every point, to varying degrees, a
man cooperates and assists God in acquiring and securing his own salvation.
Man has a positive, meritorious part in the saving of his own soul. In
theology this has come to be known as synergism.10 Synergism views
salvation as being the product of a partnership between God and man, who,
working together, secure a similar and common goal. Varying degrees of
effort may be paraded (50/50,60/40,99/1), but man has a part in his own
salvation. In the Arminian system the role of grace is reduced and that of
human works is enlarged.
 

10 Literally from its Greek roots a compound of syn - together and ergo - to
work, therefore, working together.

IV. THE FIVE POINTS OF CALVINISTIC THEOLOGY

Point I
TOTAL DEPRAVITY - The Calvinist believes, as did Luther, that man has a will
and his will is in bondage to his nature. The will of man is free to choose
according to the dictates of his nature, but it is not free to contradict
his nature. From Adam's fall the nature of every man has been sinful.
Therefore, every action of the unsaved man is sinful and rebellious; it is
stained through and through by his sin nature. The unregenerate man can NOT
perform even one single righteous or pleasing work with respect to a holy
God.11

Genesis 6:5 & 8.21, Isaiah 64:6-7, Jeremiah 17:9, John 3:19, Romans 3:10-18
& 8:8, 1 Corinthians 2:14,
Ephesians 2:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:26.

Point 2
UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION - The Calvinist believes that God's election is truly
unconditional. The foreknowledge of God is based upon His decree, plan, and
purpose; it is the expression of His will and good pleasure,12 not a
response to man's free-will choices. Election is the sovereign act of God
the Father choosing specific individuals out from the entire body of
condemned and fallen humanity. These individuals13 were chosen before the
foundations of the universe and not as a result of any foreseen merit or
activity or decision on their part.14 These chosen or elect individuals are
purposed to become monuments to the Father's love for all of eternity.15 In
this regard the Calvinist understands election as an example of God's "love
before time."16

John 15:16, Acts 13:48, Romans 8:28-30, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Ephesians
1:3-5 & 2:4-7, 2 Timothy 1:9.

Point 3
LIMITED ATONEMENT - The Calvinist believes that in order to accomplish the
specific will of the Father, Christ took to the Cross the sins of the elect.
Christ died for the sins of men without distinction as to race or
nationality (that is, Jew or Gentile). He provided a complete and effectual
atonement for their sins. Those whom Christ redeemed, Christ really and
truly redeemed (actual not potential). Though infinite in value, Christ's
atoning work was specific in its design. Some Calvinists prefer to call this
"definite atonement" or "particular redemption". The death of Christ at
Calvary does not make men savable, but rather it saves men completely.17 The
Cross is a completed, successful work that requires no assistance from man.
The Calvinist believes that Christ died for all of the sins of the elect.
The Arminian must avoid the idea of all the sins lest he proclaim a
universal salvation. For, if Christ died for all of the sins of all men
without exception, upon what basis would any man be denied heaven? Remember,
unbelief is a sin and therefore a sin for which Christ died if He has truly
died for all the sins of all men without exception.

Psalm 34:22, Isaiah 53:8, Matthew 1:21 & 20:28, Luke 1:68, John 3:16 (the
Father gave His Son for whom? - according to this verse the Son was given
for whoever believes in Him (the believing ones) not for the ones not
believing in Him), John 10:14 -15 &17:2,6,9; Acts 20:28, Galatians 3:13, Eph
5:25b, Hebrews 10:14, Revelation 5:9.
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11 Romans 8:8 - and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

12 Isaiah 46:10 - Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient
times things which have not been done, saying 'My purpose will be
established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'.

13 Romans 8:29 - for whom (persons) He foreknew - not for what (actions) He
foreknew.

14 Romans 9:11 - not yet born...not because of works.

15 Ephesians 2:7 - in order that in the ages to come He might show the
surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

16 Love Before Time is the title of a book by Kenneth D. John - well
recommended on this topic.

17 Galatians 3.13 - Christ redeemed us - He did not simply make us
redeemable.

Point 4

IRRESISTIBLE GRACE - The Calvinist believes that the Holy Spirit, in
agreement with the electing will of the Father and the atoning work of the
Son, does in the fullness of time quicken the dead spirit of a man and give
to him the gift of saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. For the Calvinist,
the logical order of salvation is regeneration first, followed by
faith/believing. Since dead men do not respond, God must make them alive
first (Eph 2:4-5); regeneration, of necessity, precedes any action or
activity on the part of man, including faith and repentance. Hence, every
single individual upon whom the Spirit of God moves savingly is regenerated,
born again, adopted, grafted in, and saved eternally.

John 5:24 - the perfect tense verb should read has already passed from death
unto life; John 6:37-39,44, Ephesians 2:1-10, Philippians 2:12-13, 1 John
5:1 - another perfect tense verb is used here and should be translated has
already been born of God, I John 3:7, John 1: 12-13 but of God, and Romans
8:8.

Point 5

PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS - The Calvinist believes that since God is the
Author and Finisher of our faith man cannot fall away from eternal
salvation. Once a man has been born-again he cannot be unborn-again.
Furthermore, the elect of God will definitely manifest evidences of their
salvation by means of good works. The elect shall, by the grace of God and
without exception, ultimately persevere in righteousness.18 The eternal
security of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is demonstrated by the
persevering faith and righteousness wrought by the grace of God in His
little begotten ones.

John 3:36, John 10:28, Romans 8:28ff, Ephesians 2:10 God's workmanship,
Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, 2 Timothy 1:12b & 4:18, 1 Peter
1:4-5, & I John 2:19.

SUMMARY - The Calvinist believes that salvation is the product of the
complimentary, cooperative work of God the Father, God the Son, and God the
Holy Spirit. The Father elects specific individuals out from a race of
entirely undeserving (hell-deserving) sinners, the Son redeems those same
specific individuals by taking their sins to the cross19, and the Spirit
regenerates and quickens those exact same specific individuals. Man,
throughout, is the recipient of grace, serving as the object of God's
sovereign and saving love. It is a monergistic20 salvation that prooclaims
along with the apostles. In the theology of the Calvinist, with regard to
salvation, grace is enlarged and works of meritorious human origin are
eliminated as initiating necessities or realities.

Ephesians 2:10 & I John 2:19.

V. WHO WAS WHO?

In history it is interesting to note which men took which positions.
Remember, these two theologies pre-dated the men whose names have become
associated with them (Calvin & Arminius).

The Arminian: The Pelagians of the 400s, the Semi-pelagians of the 500s,
Roman Catholicism (past and present), the Remonstrants of the 1600s, John &
Charles Wesley of the 1700s, and Liberal theology of the 1800s to the
present have and do hold to a theology that fits the description and
definition of Arminianism. Arminianism has spawned the popular evangelistic
methods characterized under the heading "decisional regeneration." This
method has become popular through the ministries of Charles Finney, Dwight L
Moody, Billy Graham and the Campus Crusade movement. The majority of
conservative Christians in the second half of the 20th century lean heavily
upon the Arminian views. Arminianism, today, is the all pervading and
prevailing theology of the conservative Evangelical church, even though most
Christians are completely unaware of this theology, it's tenets, and it's
conflict with the Scriptures. There are
 

18 Ephesians 2.10 & 1 John 2:19

19 Matthew 1:21

20 mono - one only, ergo - working; hence the working of only one.
numerous varieties and versions of Arminianism, but all of the basic tenets
(five points) can usually be discovered within the various systems (e.g. the
popular "Four Point Calvinistic" theology is demonstrably compatible and
agreeable to the Arminian system in all it's points excepting "falling from
grace").

The Calvinists: The list contains such notable men of faith as Augustine of
the 400s21, all of the Reformers of the 1500s, the Puritans of the 1600s,
George Whitefield (one of the greatest evangelists in Church History),
Jonathan Edwards of the 1700s, and Spurgeon of the 1800s. At the turn of
this century there were numerous theologians of a high caliber faithfully
proclaiming the Calvinistic doctrines. These were men such as Charles Hodge,
B.B. Warfield, R. L. Dabney, A.A. Hodge, etc. In our own century there have
been outstanding men of the Calvinistic persuasion: J. Gresham Machen, A.W.
Pink, R. B. Kuiper, David Martin Lloyd-Jones, and J.I. Packer. Calvinistic
theology has been at the root of the greatest examples of evangelistic
outreach the world has witnessed, the Reformation, the Puritan revivals, the
great Awakening, and the ministry of the Gospel emanating from Charles H.
Spurgeon's pulpit.22

All of this is of passing interest in deciding these issues. For once again
the issue of great import to us is

What Do the Scriptures Say?

In his autobiographical work, The Force of Truth, Thomas Scott (1747-1821)
describes his ministry as an Anglican minister who steadfastly opposed the
Calvinistic doctrines that we have reviewed. His small book is a testimony
to his conversion to these truths. Mr. Scott long ridiculed the doctrines of
grace and pursued the arguments opposing them. At last he was overwhelmingly
brought into a faithful obedience to these once despised truths. His journey
from opposition to compliance included the study of men and creeds. Mr.
Scott writes:

The great question therefore was, Are these doctrines in the Bible, or not?
Hitherto I had willfully passed over or neglected, or endeavored to put some
other construction upon all those parts of Scripture which directly speak of
them; but now I began to consider, meditate, and pray over them; and I soon
found that I could not support my former interpretations. They (the
Scriptures) would teach predestination, election, and final perseverance, in
spite of all my twisting and expounding. It also occurred to me, that these
doctrines, though now in disgrace, were universally believed and maintained
by our venerable reformers; that they were admitted, at the beginning of the
Reformation, into the Creeds, Catechisms, and Articles, of every one of the
Protestant churches; that our Articles and Homilies expressly maintained
them; and consequently, that a vast number of wise and sober-minded men, who
in their days were burning and shining lights, had upon mature deliberation
agreed, not only that they were true, but that they ought to be admitted as
useful, or even necessary Articles of Faith, by every one who deemed himself
called to take upon him the office of a Christian minister.... In short,
though my objections were many, my anxiety great, and my resistance long,
yet by the evidence which, both from the Word of God and from my own
meditation, crowded upon my mind, I was at length constrained to submit;
and, God knoweth, with fear and trembling, to allow these formerly despised
doctrines a place in my creed."23
 
 
 
 
 

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21 Again, attention would be directed to the appendix of Michael Horton's
work entitled Putting Amazing Back Into Grace.

22 "The greatest evangelists the world has ever known have been men who held
the doctrines of grace...Did you know that this was a fact, that every
single person who was involved in the beginning of the great missionary
enterprise in the 1790s was what is called a Calvinist? ...And as we know,
there was no man in the 18th century who was so active, none who labored so
indefatigably as that great George Whitefield." David Martin Lloyd-Jones,
The Puritans: Their Origins and Successors, (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth
Trust, 1987), pp. 42-43.

23 Thomas Scott, The Force of Truth, (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust,
1984), p. 81 & 83. This work was published in 1779.

VI. A WORD ABOUT SCHISM

Though historically this controversy has produced a number of schisms,24
persecutions, and, in one case, capital punishment, I believe that it should
be treated, for the most part, as an "in family" controversy. The doctrinal
issues that divide these two theologies are in bold contradiction to each
other, and therefore, they cannot both be true. One theology is true and the
other is false. Contrary to much popular rhetoric, these two theologies can
NOT be blended, mixed, or compromised. The issues at stake relate to the
Bible's declaration of Who God is, what He has done, who man is, and what he
is able to do. To mix these two distinct systems of doctrine and proclaim a
compromise will, in the end, portray a deity who is duplicitous and
self-contradicting. This study is important. We do well to heed our Lord's
words concerning the Pharisees; but in vain do they worship Me, teaching as
doctrines the precepts of men (Matthew 15:9). One of these two systems does
certainly fit the charge of teaching as doctrine the precepts of men. So
again, it is important to ask in prayerful earnest -

What Do the Scriptures Say?

These theological tenets ought not to be used as tools for dividing
fellowships as long as all parties involved continue to search the
Scriptures daily to see if these things be true (Acts 17:11). The Calvinist
and the Arminian, when they truly and actively (not by lip alone) revere the
inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures, should be able to fulfill
the command to love one another. Both parties, if they are saved, have been
saved, not by their intellectual grasp of doctrine, but rather by grace
through faith. Neither party should have difficulty reading Acts 4:12 and
bowing in humble awe that,

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given
among men by which we must be saved.

This is a discussion primarily among brethren, and it ought to be conducted
as such. These doctrines must define our faith and practice, but not the
boundaries of our fellowship. We must keep our doors open for those who are
not yet convinced, but teachable (for all Bereans). We must practice the
exhortation of God's Word to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). There
is a legitimate and important place for separation and division regarding
those areas where there is a final refusal to submit to the authority and
accuracy of the Scriptures. The denial of such Biblical truths as the Virgin
Birth, the deity of Christ and the literal resurrection of our Lord must
require separation and division for the sake of the flock. When men prefer
the dictates of other men and schools, refusing to pursue God's Word as the
only authority (sola scriptura) in all areas of doctrine and truth,
separation may very well be necessary. Born-again men committed to
 

24 I make a distinction between schism and separation in the following
manner. Schisms are sinful. They are "'causeless divisions' within the
body of a particular church" (D.M. Lloyd-Jones citing John Owen, The
Puritans, pp. 73ff). Our best New Testament example of schism would be the
church at Corinth which was at times riddled by internal divisions and
strife (1 Corinthians 1:11 among us). Separation, on the other hand, can be
viewed from two perspectives. First, separation is a form of church
discipline (Matthew 18, Titus 1, etc.) exercised normally by the elders
after repeated attempts at correction fail to restore an erring member who
persists in ungodliness or doctrinal non-compliance according to the
Scriptures. From a second perspective, a member may, of necessity, separate
without sin, when he is at doctrinal odds with the elders and for reasons of
conscience cannot submit to the doctrinal error embraced by them. For that
individual to stay in that church and, against the directions of the elders,
continue to seek to put forth his case from the Scriptures would endanger
him of committing the sin of schism and rebellion. Schism is always
unhealthy and sinful. Separation may be and has often been necessary for
the very health and spiritual purity of the faith of God's elect.
the prayerful study of the Word of God will, led by the Spirit, come to a
knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness (Titus 1:1). Ultimately, in
all things God will be glorified (Revelation 4:11). These issues, along with
all others, will be resolved only when men prayerfully understand the
necessity of asking

What Do the Scriptures Say?

Is it important for us as believers to study the issues that are involved in
this controversy? The answer to that question must be a resounding YES!
There are to be no Scriptures or portions of the Scriptures reserved and
intended for an elite group of saints (e.g. theologians and seminarians
only).

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training
in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for
every good work.

II Timothy 3:16-17

VII. CONCLUSION

I have admittedly written this review from the point of view of a committed
Calvinist, but as a Calvinist who formerly and initially held to the
Arminian position. No apology is offered here, but a warning may be in
order. Unless you are convinced by the Scriptures you will do well to
continue your investigation (do not put it off) of the oracles of God (do
not set them aside) until clarity of conscience manifests itself.
Prayerfully call upon the Spirit of God for illumination and instruction.
This is a spiritual study not to be reduced to the low level of a merely
academic curiosity. It must have an important effect upon your walk and
worship. My favorite definition of a Calvinist comes from Benjamin
Breckinridge Warfield and is found in his book Calvin and Augustine.25

It is the vision of God and His Majesty, in a word, which
lies at the foundation of the entirety of Calvinistic thinking .... The
Calvinist is the man who has seen God, and who, having seen God in His
glory, is filled on the one hand, with a sense of his own unworthiness to
stand in God's sight as a creature, and much more as a sinner, and on the
other hand, with adoring wonder that nevertheless this God is a God who
receives sinners.

VIII. A BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY

This bibliography is not meant to be exhaustive or comprehensive. I have
included only books that I have read and from which I have benefited. These
are books that are readable by any interested believer. I have not found any
thorough works dedicated to the support of the Arminian position. However,
the vast and overwhelming majority of conternporary Christian literature
today is written from an Arminian presupposition, but without any
acknowledgment of that fact. It is likely that many of the contemporary
Christian authors are completely unaware of their own divergence from
historic biblical Christianity in the areas we have reviewed. Many will even
proudly call themselves Calvinists though their personal theological
convictions parallel point for point the historic Arminian position.26
Arminianism is so widespread in our day that most Christians today are
unaware of their own theological history and subsequent drifting away from
sound healthy doctrine (Hebrews 2.1). An aversion to the study of the
history of the church and the Lord's work these past two millennia has left
us wide open to deception and imbalance. There is such a disregard for
Church history in our day that some seminaries are even beginning to phase
out their departments of history. We fail to obey the Lord's command to love
the brethren when we exclude the vast majority of our brethren from our
fellowship and affection simply because they are presently at home with the
Lord. Though they have fought the good fight and persevered unto the end,
the Lord does continue their work and ministry through their preserved
writings and we ought to avail ourselves of those tools. It will be to our
great spiritual profit to do so. There is a marvelous fellowship to be
enjoyed in the company of our dear brethren who have gone before us. Through
their writings and their biographies we can be much instructed of the Lord,
as we see His hand in their lives and ministries. The ministries of these
departed saints can still be used of the Lord to encourage us and to
stimulate us to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25). We have cut the rope
to our anchor when we refuse to pursue and enjoy the study of church
history.
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23 B. B. Warfield, Calvin and Augustine, (Philadelphia, The Presbyterian and
Ref Publishing Co., 1974), p. 491.

26 The best example of this is the self-named Four Point Calvinist.

The books listed are primarily available through the ministry of the Trinity
Book Service of Montville, New Jersey
(1 800 722-3584).

Boettner, Loraine. The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination. Philadelphia:
The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1976. A classic that
covers the whole subject and is quite readable. Everyone should at least
have this one in their library. If you do not read it perhaps one of your
grandchildren will one day and go on to become another Luther or Spurgeon.

Chantry, Walter. Man's Will: Free Yet Bound. Canton, Georgia: Word of Truth
Publications, 1975. An excellent pamphlet, but hard to locate. Check
with Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service 1 800 656-0231.

Chantry, Walter. Today's Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic? Carlisle,
Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1970. This one is quite an eye
opener and thought-provoking.

Horton, Michael Scott. Putting Amazing Back Into Grace: An Introduction to
Reformed Theology. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991. A
relatively new work that is thorough and well written. The appendices are
worth the cost of the whole book. 263 pp.

John, Kenneth D. Election: Love Before Time. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and
Reformed Publishing Co., 1976.
I recommend it highly.

Kuiper, R. B. The Bible Tells Us So. Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust,
1968. This is a good place to begin. Dr. Kuiper was president of
Westminster Theological Seminary in the 1960s.

Palmer, Edwin H. The Five Points of Calvinism. Grand Rapids: Guardian Press,
1972. One of the best though currently out of print.

Pink, Arthur W. The Sovereignty of God. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner
of Truth Trust, 1928. This really ought to be required reading for all
believers. Two versions are available; the Banner of Truth is my preference.

Seaton, W. J. The Five Points of Calvinism. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The
Banner of Truth Trust, 1970. This small tract is the work of Jack
Seaton, pastor of the Inverness Reformed Baptist Church in Scotland. It is
excellent and kind.

Spencer, Duane Edward. TULIP: The Five Points of Calvinism in the Light of
Scripture. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1979. One of the very best
basic works. Available through Cumberland (1 800 656-0231).

Steele, D. N. & Thomas, C. C. The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined.
Defended, Documented. Philadelphia: The Presbyterian and Reformed
Publishing Co, 1975. This is as close to a textbook presentation as I have
found.

Wells, Tom. A Price for a People: The Meaning of Christ's Death. Carlisle,
Pennsylvania: Banner of Truth Trust, 1992. This is the best
contemporary treatment of the question for whom did Christ die? Mr. Wells is
very thorough with the Scriptures and it is highly recommended.

>From C. H. Spurgeon

It is no novelty, then, that I am preaching; no new doctrine. I love to
proclaim these strong old doctrines, that are called by nickname Calvinism,
but which are surely and verily the revealed truth of God as it is in Christ
Jesus. By this truth I make a pilgrimage into the past, and as I go, I see
father after father, confessor after confessor, martyr after martyr,
standing up to shake hands with me. Were I a Pelagian, or a believer in the
doctrine of free-will, I should have to walk for centuries all alone. Here
and there a heretic, of no honorable character, might rise up and call me
brother. But taking these things to be the standard of faith, I see the land
of ancients peopled with my brethren; I behold multitudes who confess the
same as I do, and acknowledge that this is the religion of God's own church.

from a sermon delivered by
Mr. Spurgeon, September 2, 1855