Spurgeon v. Hyper-Calvinism

This small book by Iain Murray is one that puts forth a history of Charles Spurgeon's preaching ministry in the midst of great fire against him by other churches in England that were Hyper-Calvinistic in their doctrines.

Iain Murray gives a quick biography on Spurgeon to give the reader a better understanding of where he came from and to catch the reader up to why this conflict was of a serious nature to the Baptist faith at the time. I found it amazing how much Spurgeon was having to fight off from guys that he deeply respected and found to be friends of some sort. The main quibbles that these men, James Wells in particular, had with Spurgeon was that Spurgeon believed in the following:

1. That the gospel should be preached to all men, not just those whom were the elect or had some sort of experience to tell them that they were being drawn by the Spirit

2. What we would call duty faith. Meaning Spurgeon believed in telling his hearers that they should repent, that it was their duty to believe in Christ, etc. Wells and others believed Spurgeon was charging men with something that they could not do.

3. Duty faith tied into human responsibility. Spurgeon believed that human responsibility was real and that it was their responsibility to turn from their sin and to love Jesus. Again, Wells and others believed that this responsibility was not for every man, only those who were "heavy-laden" and felt the Holy Spirit's working within them.

4. The last problem they had with Spurgeon was his belief that God desires for all men, not just the elect, to repent and be saved. This is still a huge discussion with many in the Reformed faith. Some siding with Spurgeon (myself included) and others still siding with Gill and Wells.

The book sets up to show the arguments against Spurgeon and the many writings against him in the various publications around England. There were many claims against Spurgeon because of the above stated beliefs. Because of this, many claimed that Spurgeon was an Arminian and did not believe in God's elected love or in total depravity.

After the charges are shown, the arguments are then put forth to show Spurgeon's responses to these charges, which mostly come from his sermons. I found this to be of great help in the understanding of God's desire for all and also a return to the days of old when verses that included the term "all" were not twisted to mean "some sorts" or "some sorts of different classes of men" etc. Throughout the book Spurgeon shows his honesty in the difficulty of putting all these doctrines together and that there is a good middle ground between the Arminian and the Hyper-Calvinist.

Spurgeon also shows great respect for both the Arminians and the Hyper-Calvinist. Where James Wells said that John Wesley went to hell, Spurgeon gives praise for the gospel preaching of Wesley. Also, John Gill is referred many times as the teacher for the Hypers and at one time called the proverbial head of Hyper-Calvinism, yet Spurgeon still shows much respect for him and also his contemporaries that held to Gill's positions.

The sub-heading for this book is "The Battle for Gospel Preaching" and I found it to be a very appropriate title. If anyone is interested in what historic Calvinism teaches, this is a great primer on the understanding. I would disagree with Spurgeon and Murray's thoughts on the extent of the atonement, but because of their graciousness and admittance that they didn't/don't understand how it could fit with the universal call, I can still recommend this book. They, Murray and Spurgeon, are very honest with their confusion of how limited atonement works within God's universal call for all to repent.

This book deals openly and honestly about the hard doctrines of the faith. It deals honestly with passages like John 3:16, Matthew 23:37; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3,4 and the hoops one has to jump through to make this fit within their theology if they don't take 'all' to simply mean, 'all.'

If you have been approached by a Hyper-Calvinist, want a defense against a Hyper-Calvinist, or you just want to understand more of the heart of true Calvinism, I would highly recommend this book. Spurgeon is very gracious in his defenses, yet puts forth the truth. Link to Buy.

Death By Love

I have read much of what Driscoll has written and also listened to many of his sermons, including the ones that are associated with this book. But, it seems as though Driscoll shows thoroughly his love for his people in this book entitled, Death By Love: Letters from the Cross. Many people have had issues with Driscoll's past books, either with his choice of terms, descriptions of theological dialogues, and even some ways that he has "counseled" people in the past. But, it will be very difficult for pastors and congregants to have much to quibble about in this book.

In Death by Love, Driscoll lays out the theological implications of the cross in letter form. What he has done is chosen different counseling situations that he has encountered in the past and then writes a "formal" letter to that person so that they can see what Christ has done for them to get through the situation that they find themselves in.

What one will find is that this is classic Driscoll. He is kind when he is needed to be kind and he is very straight forward when that is needed as well. This is why many have enjoyed Driscoll throughout the years is because he doesn't pussy foot around tough issues but hits them head on. There is no difference in this book. This book deals with real people, in real situations, with very real problems. Driscoll handles this very well without demeaning the person or the glory of Christ. I would tell each and every person, pastor or layman that deals in counseling to pick up this book to see how a true man of God counsels in the most difficult situations imaginable. To give you a glimpse of what I mean, here are the chapter headings:


I. Demons are Tormenting Me: Jesus is Katie's Christus Victor

II. Lust is My God: Jesus is Thomas' Redemption

III. My Wife Slept with My Friend: Jesus is Luke's New Covenant Sacrifice

IV. I am a "Good" Christian: Jesus is David's Gift Righteousness

V. I Molested a Child: Jesus is John's Justification

VI. My Dad Used to Beat Me: Jesus is Bill's Propitiation

VII. He Raped Me: Jesus is Mary's Expiation

VIII. My Daddy is a Pastor: Jesus is Gideon's Unlimited Limited Atonement

IX. I am Going to Hell: Jesus is Hank's Ransom

X. My Wife Has a Brain Tumor: Jesus is Caleb's Christus Exemplar

XI. I Hate My Brother: Jesus is Kurt's Reconciliation

XII. I Want to Know God: Jesus is Susan's Revelation

Driscoll handles each one of these with a Reformed perspective with much grace. One chapter above is especially personal when Driscoll handles "My Daddy is a Pastor." This chapter is written to his one and a half year old son, Gideon. This is a great chapter to read where Driscoll lets the reader into his personal life and what goes on behind closed doors.

After each chapter above Dr. Gerry Breshears handles the common questions to each. He does this succinctly so that the answers are not over burdensome, but get straight to the point with much detail and precision.

Again, I highly recommend this to anyone who is handling counseling situations or has dealt with, or dealing with, any of the situations mentioned in the above chapters. For further information about this book, you can check out the homepage here. Link to Buy

In My Place Condemned He Stood

This book was really a love/hate relationship. I also knew that this would probably be the case heading into me reading it though as well. It is really 4 essays about the atonement of Christ. I found 3 of 4 to be very good and the one I figured I would find lacking is exactly the one that was lacking.

Here are the four different essays:

The Heart of the Gospel (J.I. Packer; taken from chapter 18 of Knowing God; 1973)

This is really a longer intro to the book as a whole. It speaks of the different aspects of the cross, such as propitiation, God's love, expiation, substitution and God's glory.

What Did the Cross Achieve? The Logic of Penal Substitution (J.I. Packer; first appeared in Tyndale Bulletin; 1974)

This is really a defense of understanding both words used here, penal and substitution. Packer does a very good job in rendering that logic can only take someone so far before they have to bow the knee to the omnipotent and omniscient God. He does a good job in the defense of the use of the term, "Penal Substitution." I very much liked this chapter even though it was a very tough read to get through.

Nothing But the Blood (Mark Dever; Reprint from Christianity Today; 2006)

This was very short and really marked a way for the modern reader to try and understand why we still need to make sure we speak of the bloody atonement. Why it was necessary and why it still is necessary as far as our focus within God's love. I liked this short article, although I found some of it to be repetitive to Packer's What did the Cross Achieve.

Saved by His Precious Blood: An Introduction to John Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ. (J.I. Packer; 1958)

This chapter I really didn't like. I found that the work of Owen was really put up on a pedestal and said many times that there was no way for it to be refuted. This seems like words that should only be held up to the light of Scripture, not to a man's work with no inspiration of the Holy Spirit. J.I. Packer defends the understanding of a strict view of limited atonement in this article and says that those who don't believe in this view are not preaching the gospel. He says that preaching limited atonement is the biblical gospel, that if you preach otherwise you are preaching self esteem, that those who don't preach a strict view of the atonement are just trying to helpful to man and not concerned with the glory of God.

I still can't believe that he says some of this stuff. So, if I don't hold to a strict view of the atonement I don't preach the biblical gospel, I preach self esteem and are little concerned with the glory of God?

What I find interesting is that this comes after a quote in this very book by Martin Luther where Luther preaches an atonement that is more than limited, or particular. This is found on page 85 in the footnotes:

All the prophets did foresee in spirit, that Christ should become the greatest transgressor, murderer, adulterer, thief, rebel, blasphemer, etc. that ever was....for he being made a sacrifice, for the sins of the whole world, is not now an innocent person and without sins....Our most merciful Father...sent his only Son into the world and laid upon him the sins of all men, saying: Be thou Peter that denier; Paul that persecutor, blashphemer and cruel oppressor; David that adulterer; that sinner which did eat the apple in Paradise; that thief which hanged on the cross; and, briefly, be thou person which hath committed the sins of all men; see therefore that thou pay and satisfy for them. Here now cometh the law and saith: I find him a sinner...therefore let him die upon the cross.

Martin Luther(found at Galatians, ed. Philip S. Watson (London: James Clarke, 1953), 269-271; on Gal 3:13)

Notice there is not the particular in view here. But the understanding of the sins being laid on the Messiah and not of just some, but of the whole world. And Luther continues and says that Christ be thou person which hath committed the sins of all men.

I just really found this work to be lacking and very over the top with such arrogance in the understanding of the atonement. Although, I do believe that Christ did die for the whole world, he also died specifically, or especially, for the elect. So, it is a both/and statement in regard to the atonement, not an either/or.

I just find it funny that Packer has his arrogant statements in this book right after he quotes Luther saying just the opposite of what Packer would like him to say.

So, this book is a quandary for me. The first three-fourths of the book was very well done, but the last chapter on the Death of Death by Owen was just terrible. So, I am not sure what I would do with this book besides tell others to read it with caution, but shouldn't we do that with every book we read? Recommended (with caution)

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A Treatise on Regeneration

The book cover has a quote from Jonathan Edward's: The book is much better than any other book in the world, excepting the Bible, in my opinion. This Treatise was also used emphatically by Edwards in his dissertation on "The Freedom of the Will."

With that said, I was expecting an almost unintelligible treatise on the subject at hand. For one, Edwards recommended it, and brain just functions differently than most. Second, Van Mastricht is a dutch puritan and their explanation of subjects can sometimes be very cumbersome, even though very enlightening.

This book was just the opposite of what I was expecting. It was very understandable, even though I will have to read it again to get the full meaning, and very enjoyable.

Van Mastricht leans heavily, and I mean heavily, on Scripture to show his conclusions on the subject of regeneration. There are three parts to this book consisting of: "The Doctrinal Part" "The Argumentative Part" and "The Practical Part." One of my favorite parts in the entire book was Van Mastricht's "list" of assurance of regeneration. Most Puritans are known for their "tests" of salvation and regeneration, but Van Mastricht gives a great list showing assurance.

Although, I do not agree on every point made by Van Mastricht when speaking of paedo baptism, it is never the less very well done. I would highly recommend this book if you are studying regeneration. One could use this merely as a reference book if needed and would glean enough from that alone to warrant the purchase. Link to Buy

The Sovereign Grace of God

James White does a good job on these doctrines as usual but I would rather someone read The Potter's Freedom than this book, although it is a bit more gentle in its approach since it is not a rebuttal to another book like the Potter's Freedom was with Norman Geisler's book. White does a very good job to guide the reader to a presupposition of the total sovereignty of God by writing an entire chapter on it, calling it the 6 petal TULIP...making it STULIP...great thought since many don't really understand the call of the true and complete sovereignty of God.

The best part of this book is also the worst part of the book...James White doesn't do as much as I am accustomed in the original language breakdown. If this book were read before his other books, then one would pay no attention. But since I have read White's other books that DO emphasize breaking down the Greek and Hebrew, I was at first caught back by the lack of attention placed in this book. But, this also makes it an easier read for first timers.

Another strong point of emphasis was an appendix dedicated to Process Theology and then a dissertation on Isaiah 40-45 which was very good...and should he, James White, be compelled to write an entire text on Isaiah 40-48 that would be a great read as well...just a suggestion.

I would recommend the book to those who are not familiar to the Doctrines of Grace and who are also questioned by Process Theologians, but then move on to White's The Potter's Freedom for a good original language exegesis of some of these same points. Link to Buy

Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings

This work is a great compilation of the works of Luther. It is fair and and also a great start in understanding and reading Luther's works. The one thing that I really like about the editor is that he gives a small introduction to each writing, the when and why the particular writing was written.

The book starts off with Luther's major theologies in the 97 Theses, 95 Theses and the Heidelberg Disputation. This compilation of the 97 theses was nice to see since it is so unfamiliar to most people but was Luther's first cry against Aristotle's theology. Most people have heard of Luther's famous quote, "Reason is a whore!," well the 97 Theses: Disputation against Scholastic Theology, gives you the full reasoning for this cry.

The book then materializes Luther's thoughts on the Power of the Word of God, The righteousness in Christ (which includes excerpts of his famous work, The Bondage of the Will), The promise of the Sacraments, The Reform of the Church, and the living and dying as a Christian. These are all done as not only formal works but also in some of his sermons.

I would definitely recommend this book as it will start the reader off on the right foot of Luther's theology and then you can decide where you would like to find further insight. Link to Buy

Debating Calvinism: Five Points, Two Views

This debate wasn't too fair. James White is far more superior in knowledge of Scripture and history than Dave Hunt.

Dave Hunt's eisegesis of scripture and drawing up of straw men leave the reader lacking in gaining any perspective of the Arminian camp (even though he states he isn't one, his theology speaks differently). I will also admit that most from the Arminian camp are calling "foul" because Hunt represents their theology and view of Calvinism so skewed.

James White on the other hand deals with Scripture how any Christian should, with complete authority. He exegetes Scripture and gives answers to common questions about Calvinism. If you would like to see more on the happenings of these two before the book was written you could be entertained for hours but I will link that here or here. (Scroll down until you see the interview with Dave Hunt regarding his publication against Calvinism in the Berean Call; it is #490)

The best part of this book is that you get direct answers to the claims that both Hunt and Geisler have brought out in their books against Calvinism, through a new unfounded method in America...the Bible...wow...who would think that you could find answers to these questions in the Bible?...kidding of course...but this book was well worth the read so that the CORRECT view of Calvinism could be shown in light of its' critics. If you have read "Chosen But Free" or "What Love is This" please read this book so you can get a full picture and answers to the Calvinism camp. Link to Buy

The Five Points of Calvinism

Does the title give it away? This book is an update from the highly acclaimed book from Steele and Thomas and is great primer on what exactly Calvinism is. It is not exhaustive and was not meant to be but seems to be more a "dictionary" of sorts for reference on the 5 points. For each section it gives the defense and expalantion of the point, then gives you reference material for more reading.

This book is great to keep on your book shelf to reference verses in the Bible for the different doctrines, but if you are looking for a complete defense of the doctrines of Grace you will be disapointed.

The works that I especially found interesting was the appendix which went of a lot of tough questions that are posed to Calvinist based on Scripture and also those questions that are asked outside of the camp of Calvinism.

In my humble opinion if you know very little on these doctrines pick up this book alongside "A Journey in Grace" and you will at least be introduced to where you should go next. Link to Buy

The Works of Jonathan Edwards

Edwards is known for the greatest sermon ever told "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and most people stop at that sermon and don't read further. These two volumes are vast and comprehensive and not for one who wants to casually read Edwards.

These two volumes are still in his original venacular and have not been contemporized like I have seen with other works. They include sermons, thoughts and letters that Edwards wrote on various topics, including his two most popular "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and "Freedom of the Will" and many, many more.

It is great to read from a man so dedicated to God's word and wanting to see his cold puritan peers come to Christ. Do not buy these volumes if you are a casual reader, these works are very deep on great theological issues but if you want to be challenged these would be a great addition to your library.

The only issue I do have is that it is hard to navigate through the sermons, they could have done a better job with an appendix to make it easier to find the info for reference. That shouldn't take away from the content though as you will be greatly encouraged in your study with Edwards. Link to Buy

Reformation Sketches

If you are already a theologian in this area this is not the book for you, unless you would like a quick review. For those who would like to start to learn more about the reformation this is a great little book that will get you started in learning more about Luther and Calvin and the Canons of Dort.

The one thing I was excited about, that it wasn't as strong as I would have liked, was the confessions. I thought there was going to be a more thorough study on these. Still well worth the buy, it will be a quick read and a great review for those who are accustomed to the reformation.

The book goes through, not only Luther and Calvin but also goes through Melancthon and also goes through a subject I didn't know before, which was the 97 Theses. Link to Buy

A Journey in Grace

This book is one that most have not heard of and probably will never get the recognition it deserves. This is a novel about a fictional seminary student named Ira Pointer. He goes to an interview to be a pastor at a local church and is confronted by one on the search committee that asks, "Are you a Calvinist?" Pointer, not knowing what a Calvinist is, but knows by the way the question was asked it can't be good, responds by saying, "Of course not!" The rest of the book is a dedicated search for Ira to find out what Calvinism is and what Calvinism isn't. He searches and finds those who hate Calvinists and also those we would refer to as hyper-Calvinists. I found this book to be very well done so that the read is easy yet in depth on the theological topics. Richard Belcher not only shows the greatness of Calvinism and the beliefs therein, but also shows some of the dangers that it can lead to, and really serves for us the warnings that can come about.

Do not let this be a book that you forget about or never read. I have given this book out to those who have never been exposed the Doctrines of Grace and, whether they agreed or not, enjoyed the honest assessment of the theology. It is really like the book, The Five Points of Calvinism, but in novel form. I found the book to be very good in describing limited atonement but lacking in the area of unconditional election. But, overall Richard Belcher should be commended on this work. Link to buy

The Potter's Freedom

I must put this book at the top of the list as one of the most thought provoking and honest books on the Doctrines of Grace that I have ever read. It was designed to be a rebuttal to Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free, but ended up being not only a great rebuttal but also a great defense of historic Calvinism. It is very readable where needed but also very skillfully exegeting where needed as well. James White has become one of my favorite authors because of his skills of being able to speak to those who don't know Greek fluently but able to still make his point through the Greek text. I have read some who know the Greek but cannot explain it very well and I have also read those who can write very well but do not know the Greek. White treads down both these paths: very well written and fluent in the Greek.

White in this book gently, yet forcefully, directs the reader down Geisler's wrong assumptions or just plain wrong arguments against Calvinism but doesn't seem to "hold it against Geisler" yet corrects where there needs correction and explains further the Calvinist stance on the "five points."

If you are one that needs better description on the Doctrines of Grace, please pick this book up. It will enlighten the stance taken by the Calvinist; which is God is completely sovereign all the time. Link to buy book