recommendations for first book...

[a]

does anyone have a good suggestion for the first book i should read regarding calvinism, reformed theology, doctrines of grace, etc...

i am coming from an SBC, arminian, dispensationalist background...

i've read a few short "brochures" from Spurgeon regarding a Defense of Calvinism... but that's about it...

i'd like to have a look at some good stuff...

please advise.

[Edited on 5-16-2004 by ace]

 

[Me Died Blue]

I second Paul's recommendation. It's a very thorough and exhaustive work on the Calvinistic concept of salvation. R. C. Sproul's [i:68e5aed89d]Chosen By God[/i:68e5aed89d] is probably the best [i:68e5aed89d]short[/i:68e5aed89d] book I would personally recommend on the subject--it was somewhat the clincher for me, in addition to Boettner's book. Also, O. Palmer Robertson has some great introductory books on Reformed theology in general and Covenant Theology. For some non-book-length works on Reformed theology, read some of Matt McMahon's own articles at A Puritan's Mind, as well as some articles by other authors there. And, anything by Calvin, Owen, Edwards or the Puritans would obviously be excellent material to start with as well.

The one work I most recommend you read that is less than book-length is J. I. Packer's Introduction to John Owen's [i:68e5aed89d]The Death of Death in the Death of Christ[/i:68e5aed89d]. It is only an essay, but an absolutely unmatched, astoundingly valuable one. Ironically, being merely an introductory essay, it is still a more valuable piece than at least 95% of the full-length "Christian" books out there today. It's the article to which I always refer people when they ask me what merit I see in the Calvinistic concept of God's sovereignty and salvation. You can read it at http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/packer_intro.html.

But since you're just now beginning to get out of the Arminian, Dispensational mindset (as I was less than two years ago), the book that I would have to recommend you read most of all is [i:68e5aed89d]In the Face of God[/i:68e5aed89d] by Michael Horton. It has probably influenced my theological thinking more than any other modern-day book. It is an excellent treatment of the Reformed concepts of biblical worship, intimacy with God, church and its relevance to our lives, God's means of dispensing His grace in our lives, and the nature and relevance of the Word and the sacraments. The book gives you a portrait of the very heart of Reformed thought on the Christian life. I cannot recommend it enough. (Horton also has a good introductory-level essay on the biblical basis for the Reformed understanding of infant baptism, entitled "God's Grandchildren." It can be read at http://www.modernreformation.org/mr95/marapr/mr9502baptism.html.)

In Christ,

Chris

[Edited on 5-16-2004 by Me Died Blue]

 

[Bladestunner316]

Allthough not directlly addressing the topic of reformed theology but I would suggest a more intimate approach would be St augustines confessions by far one of the best books ive ever read

 

[king of fools]

I read a lot of Sproul's stuff. Chosen by God, the Holiness of God, etc. Those are good primers to get you ready for more exhaustive reading. I also found it helpful to listen to sermons online in my free time. Either from a church (such as at www.reformedbaptist.org, lots of good sermons there) or at sermonaudio.com. This was in addition to finding a good church to hear the preaching of the word correctly at a good reformed church.

 

[Irishcat922]

Chosen by God by Sproul
Redemption Accomplished and Applied By John Murray
Five points of Calvinism By W.J. Seaton it is an easy read in tract form

 

[Puritan Sailor]

I think Sproul is a great starting point:
The Holiness of God
Chosen by God
Grace Unkown: The Heart of Reformed Theology (a little more indepth than Chosen by God)

Boetner is also good.

The other things I would recommend which are easily accessible online and in print are the Reformed confessions of faith:
The Westminster Confession of Faith
The Westminter Shorter Catechism
The Westminster Larger Catechism

The Belgic Confession of Faith
The Heidelburg Catechism
The Canons of Dort


And finally, and this is just my opinion, I would avoid the tract sized arguments for the Reformed faith. They tend to over-simplify the issues. There's more to the reformed faith than just the 5-points.

 

[rembrandt]

I have a friend who is new to Calvinism. Would "Putting Amazing Back Into Grace" be a good book for him? I don't read alot of stuff like that since I spend all my time in Augustine, Edwards, etc.

 

[A_Wild_Boar]

I read some books by AW Pink. I think that helped me most of all as far as books go. He cuts to the chase.

Sovereignty of God I highly recommend it.

 

[a]

wow guys...
i really appreciate your suggestions... i ran the battery dead on my pda trying to enter all the books... hahaha

keep the suggestions coming, and i'll always hold on to this thread...

thanks so much for your help!

 

[Bladestunner316]

AW PINK he is awsome

 

[Bryan]

Sproul is always good like people have been saying.
I also second reading the confessions.

There is a lot of good stuff online, but if I was to recommend a book that hasn't been mentioned I would recommedn The Justification of God by Piper. It's a study on Romans 9:1-23, and an awesome study at that

Bryan
SDG

 

[Bladestunner316]

http://reformed.org/calvinism/

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/theologyathome.html

http://monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/calvinism.html

 

[cupotea]

Being relatively new to Reformed Theology, and coming from [b:01e6515186]exactly[/b:01e6515186] the same background as you, Ace, I would also encourage you to read Lorraine Boettner (that did it for me) and also Grace Unknown by RC Sproul. Both books clinched it for me.

If you are like me, the final bastion for me was Dispensational Theology. I just could not let go of my Dispie roots. While Reymond's New Systematic Theology was helpful, let me link you to the article that finally allowed me to let go of my dispie roots and embrace Covenant Theology. (I used to feel silly admitting this, until I posted the link on my board and had an inbox full of thank-yous for posting it)
http://www.apuritansmind.com/Baptism/McMahonSimpleCovenantTheology.htm

What was so funny is that I had been reading A Puritan's Mind for ages and never came across the article. I happened upon it on a strictly Arminian board! I need to email Matthew and thank him.

[Edited on 5-16-2004 by Newly Reformed]

 

[dado6]

Paul,

Michael Horton's 'putting the amazing back into grace' is indeed a good book. It is written for someone who has not really been exposed to reformed doctrine. By all means pass it on to your friend.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Me Died Blue]

Paul, while I haven't yet read [i:307fcae82c]Putting Amazing Back Into Grace[/i:307fcae82c], my reading of Horton's [i:307fcae82c]In the Face of God[/i:307fcae82c] gave me an appreciation for Horton that would allow me to recommend any of his books. Also, [i:307fcae82c]Putting Amazing Back Into Grace[/i:307fcae82c] is indeed written for someone with no previous exposure to Reformed theology, since I remember reading part of the introduction in a Christian bookstore, and it said something to the effect of, "If you feel unsatisfied by a lot of this, and think that there's more to God's plan as revealed in His Word, you may be ready for the theology of the Reformation."

In Christ,

Chris

 

[rembrandt]

Thanks Rob and Chris. :bs2: