This work is foundational for those who are just beginning their Christian experience as well as the well-informed Bible student who is interested in effective evangelism and the topic of salvation. It's the ideal book for college and seminary level courses on Soteriology in that it gives a lesser known, but extensively biblical, view of the so-called “Doctrines of Grace,” as taught by Reformed Theology and identified by the acronym known as TULIP (i.e., Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints). Dr. Badger exposes these teachings for what they are: the abhorrent doctrinal results of the Reformation. In the attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church a line of thought known as Calvinism, Five Point Calvinism, or Dortian Calvinism developed throughout Europe and England. And for nearly 500 years since Calvinism has run rampant over the teachings of the Bible. John Calvin, one of the leading Reformers followed Augustine's ideas of God's having decisively and unconditionally selected some people, but not others, for eternal salvation. Calvin popularized the notion and it became the skeleton over which the other dogmas were hung for a period of about three-quarters of a century until it was finally solidified at the Synod of Dort, Netherlands, in 1619. The Five Points of Calvinism have become the heart and soul of classical Reformed Theology to this day.Dr. Badger first explains the manner in which theology and truth claims may properly be approached, followed by a brief chapter on the history of the leaders of the Reformation. A biblical view of sin and guilt is then presented, followed by a chapter on the Calvinist's unbiblical view of man's Total Inability to believe the gospel offer. He explains why Total Depravity is not Total Inability to believe and why such teaching obscures the true nature of man as a bearer of the image of God Himself. Two chapters are devoted to the doctrine of Election and include an explanation of the Calvinist and Arminian views on the matter. Two possible alternative Free Grace solutions on the subject are given, the second of which is favored by the author. Dr. Badger then addresses the doctrine of Limited Atonement and shows it to be an unnecessary fabrication that merely concurs with Calvin's other notions of man's inability to believe and God's supposed election of only some. A chapter on the supposed imposition of Irresistible Grace by the Holy Spirit (Regeneration) prior to one's faith is shown to be anti-biblical, unreasonable, and, again, unnecessary except to uphold the other four points. The doctrine that Saint (believers) must Persevere in the Christian faith and in holiness until the end of their lives to be assured of a heavenly destiny is also exposed as a malevolent attempt to herd the “sheep” in good direction but by the use of a bad method. Threatening expulsion to Hell is not a proper method for discipleship, is legalistic, and is similar to someone saying that “the floggings will continue until the morale improves!” In all of this, Dr. Badger explains the Arminian position, as well, and shows where they also fall short of a biblical understanding. Six helpful appendices and a scriptural index follow the ten information filled chapters.Underlying the logical evaluations and biblical solutions in this work is a solidly biblical Free Grace foundation. Free Grace Theology presents God's offer of everlasting life as a free gift to anyone who believes in Jesus for it. Salvation is by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (really alone!). Discipleship is to follow in the Christian life, but the results of one's Christian walk will vary on an individual basis, but at no time is one's performance a criterion for receiving the free gift of eternal life or for either retaining or proving it. Calvinistic TULIP is here not only confronted and challenged, but absolutely terminated.

Pastor, politician, and Dutch Neo-Calvinist theologian Abraham Kuyper's lectures on the role of Christian faith in politics, science, and art have become a touchstone of contemporary Reformed theology. Revisiting these lectures, Jessica and Robert Joustra bring together theologians, historians, scientists, and others to consider Kuyper's ongoing importance and complex legacy for today.

Calvinist theology has been debated and promoted for centuries. But is it a theology that should last? Roger Olson suggests that Calvinism, also commonly known as Reformed theology, holds an unwarranted place in our list of accepted theologies. 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. Addressing what many evangelical Christians are concerned about today—so-called “new Calvinism,” a movement embraced by a generation labeled as “young, restless, 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. As a companion to Michael Horton’s For Calvinism, readers will be able to compare contrasting perspectives and form their own opinions on the merits and weaknesses of Calvinism.

Paying particular attention to the issue of God's sovereignty, Jerry L. Walls and Joseph R. Dongell critique biblical and theological weaknesses of Calvinist thought.

"Owen is generous, rational and balanced ... [H]e is astute enough to understand the vast real-world differences that block the resolution of conflict."--Publishers Weekly.

What do the Canons of Dordt mean to people in the Las Vegas airport—and does anyone there even care? In the movie Hardcore, a pious Calvinist elder tries unsuccessfully to explain the TULIP theology of his Dutch Reformed faith to a prostitute in the Las Vegas airport. This incongruous conversation demonstrates how Calvinism is often perceived today: irrelevant, harsh, even disrespectful.Beginning with this movie scene, Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport addresses the weaknesses of Calvinism and points to its strengths. How does Calvinism shed light on today? Instead of reciting the Canons of Dordt, what’s a more compassionate way to relate to nonbelievers? What might it look like to live out the doctrines of TULIP with gentleness and respect? This conversational book provides answers and shatters some stereotypes. Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport encourages you to live every aspect of life—business, family, education, politics, activities, and more—before the face of a generous, sovereign God. Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike will find this an enjoyable read. You will discover that Reformed theology can speak relevantly and compellingly today, both to you and to people in the Las Vegas airport. Does Calvinism Have Anything to Do with the 21st Century?What do you think about Calvinism? Do you view it positively or negatively? Or has its day passed?Let’s face it, many non-Calvinists hold a less-than-positive view, sometimes due to caricatures. This friendly, conversational book helps clear up some misconceptions and distorted views. If you’re not a Calvinist, here is an engaging inside look. And if you are a Calvinist, Richard Mouw shows how to live gently and respectfully with others—Christians and non-Christians—who hold different perspectives.Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport focuses not on what Calvinists believe but on how they live. From a movie scene to the author’s personal experiences in Las Vegas, you are invited to travel with Mouw and see the Reformed faith in a new light. Yes, it still does travel well!

Although many people suggest that Christianity is declining, research indicates that it continues to be the world's most popular worldview. But even so, the Christian faith includes many controversial beliefs that non-Christians find hard to accept. This book explores 12 issues that might cause someone to dismiss orthodox Christianity—issues such as the existence of suffering, the Bible's teaching on gender and sexuality, the reality of heaven and hell, the authority of the Bible, and more. Showing how the best research from sociology, science, and psychology doesn't disagree with but actually aligns with claims found in the Bible, these chapters help skeptics understand why these issues are signposts, rather than roadblocks, to faith in Christ.

The doctrine of creation is obviously one of the first things, but it is also one of the last things since the world to come is also, by definition, creation. The simple truth that it is so is incontestable since neither the world to come nor those whose dwelling it is built to be are God. But the way in which this is so is the subject of a long, long debate in Christendom, with the question of whether and in what degree the life to come is continuous with this one. How common is the “thing” in “first thing” and “last thing”? Our answer to this question conditions our answer to many others: the relationship of philosophy to theology, of the church to the saeculum, of the kingdom of Christ to the visible church. This volume brings together the careful investigations of established and emerging historians and theologians, exploring how these questions have been addressed at different points in Christian history, and what they mean for us today. Includes contributions from James Bratt, E.J. Hutchinson, Matthew Tuininga, Andrew Fulford, Laurence O'Donnell, Benjamin Miller, Brian Auten, and Joseph Minich.

This book aims to reinvigorate discussions of moral arguments for God's existence. To open this debate, Baggett and Walls argue that God's love and moral goodness are perfect, without defect, necessary, and recognizable. After integrating insights from the literature of both moral apologetics and theistic ethics, they defend theistic ethics against a variety of objections and, in so doing, bolster the case for the moral argument for God's existence. It is the intention of the authors to see this aspect of natural theology resume its rightful place of prominence, by showing how a worldview predicated on the God of both classical theism and historical Christian orthodoxy has more than adequate resources to answer the Euthyphro Dilemma, speak to the problem of evil, illumine natural law, and highlight the moral significance of the incarnation and resurrection of Christ. Ultimately, the authors argue, there is principled reason to believe that morality itself provides excellent reasons to look for a transcendent source of its authority and reality, and a source that is more than an abstract principle.