Predestination has been the subject of perennial controversy among Christians, although in recent years theologians have shied away from it as a divisive and unedifying topic. In this book Matthew Levering argues that Christian theological reflection needs to continue to return to the topic of predestination, for two reasons: Firstly, predestinarian doctrine is taught in the New Testament. Reflecting the importance of the topic in many strands of Second Temple Judaism, the New Testament authors teach predestination in a manner that explains why Christian theologians continually recur to this topic. Secondly, the doctrine of predestination provides a way for Christian theologians to reflect upon two fundamental affirmations of biblical revelation. The first is God's love, without any deficiency or crimp, for each and every rational creature; the second is that God from eternity brings about the purpose for which he created us, and that he permits some rational creatures freely and permanently to rebel against his love. When theologians reflect on these two key biblical affirmations, they generally try to unite them in a logical synthesis. Instead, Levering argues, it is necessary to allow for the truth of each side of the mystery, without trying to blend the two affirmations into one. Levering pairs his discussion of Scripture with ecumenically oriented discussion of the doctrine of predestination in through the ages through the figures of Origen, Augustine, Boethius, John of Damascus, Eriugena, Aquinas, Ockham, Catherine of Siena, Calvin, Molina, Francis de Sales, Leibniz, Bulgakov, Barth, Maritain, and Balthasar. He concludes with a constructive chapter regarding the future of the doctrine.

TULIP is a popular acronym for the five points of Calvinism--total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. In this book, these five points are not only concisely explained in the light of the Bible but are also helpfully contrasted to the corresponding five points of Arminianism. The differences between Calvanistic and Arminian beliefs are also summarized at the end of the book for quick reference. Anyone looking for an accessible explanation of this somewhat difficult and controversial doctrine, or looking for help in explaining it to others, will find this an invaluable resource. TULIP has had steady sales since its original Baker publication in 1979, and there is now nearly 55,000 copies in print.

If God is in control, are people really free? This question has bothered Christians for centuries. And answers have covered a wide spectrum. Today Christians still disagree. Those who emphasize human freedom view it as a reflection of God's self-limited power. Others look at human freedom in the order of God's overall control. David and Randall Basinger have put this age-old question to four scholars trained in theology and philosophy. John Feinberg of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Norman Geisler of Dallas Theological Seminary focus on God's specific sovereignty. Bruce Reichenbach of Augsburg College and Clark Pinnock of McMaster Divinity College insist that God must limit his control to ensure our freedom. Each writer argues for his perspective and applies his theory to two practical case studies. Then the other writers respond to each of the major essays, exposing what they see as fallacies and hidden assumptions. A lively and provocative volume.

One of the 20th-century's most reasoned explanations of the sovereignty of God and the Reformed interpretation of salvation. "Whoever really wants to know what Calvinism teaches cannot do better than to read this book from cover to cover".--United Presbyterian magazine.

Winner of the Christianity Today 2010 Book Award for History/Biography, and praised in Christian Century as "witty...erudite...masterful," this groundbreaking history, the first of its kind, shows that far from being only about the age-old riddle of divine sovereignty versus human free will, the debate over predestination is inseparable from other central Christian beliefs and practices--the efficacy of the sacraments, the existence of purgatory and hell, the extent of God's providential involvement in human affairs--and has fueled theological conflicts across denominations for centuries. Peter Thuesen reexamines not only familiar predestinarians such as the New England Puritans and many later Baptists and Presbyterians, but also non-Calvinists such as Catholics and Lutherans, and shows how even contemporary megachurches preach a "purpose-driven" outlook that owes much to the doctrine of predestination. For anyone wanting a fuller understanding of religion in America, Predestination offers both historical context on a doctrine that reaches back 1,600 years and a fresh perspective on today's denominational landscape.

Summary of reformed theology Written for all Christians - reformed or not Popular and well known author

There is clear evidence in the Bible that things are determined beforehand. Believing in predestination means that you believe that no one has any real control of events but that everything has already been decided by God’s plan and purpose. On the other hand, there is also evidence that God gives us our free will and allows us the freedom to choose between good and evil. The concept of predestination is difficult to grasp because of the way circumstances play out. But predestination is real! It is time for you to understand predestination so that you can work with God and walk with God more easily. Another thought-provoking masterpiece by celebrated author, Dag Heward-Mills. Trust God and watch the outplaying of all the things that God has destined for you.

The doctrine of predestination is an important starting point for the study of Christian theology thought from a Reformed theological perspective. This doctrine is essential because it is one of the central themes from the Bible that has been the reason for many debates among many theologians in the history of the church. Despite the different views held by mainline Protestant theologians like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Jacobus Arminus, this book points to Scripture as the basis for Reformed soteriology. It uses the tools of biblical interpretation to show how the entire Bible addresses the doctrine of predestination so that theology students, pastors, Bible teachers, and anyone interested in Christian theology will better understand predestination from a Reformed perspective toward an effective ministry today.