The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, and Documented

[Apologist4Him]

Title: The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, and Documented
Authors: David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas, S. Lance Quinn
Publisher: P&R Publishing Company
Originally published in 1963 by Steele and Thomas, Second (updated) edition 2004

Endorsements: "œSimply put, The Five Points of Calvinism is the best and the most complete short introduction to the doctrines of grace." "”Philip G. Ryken

"œOne could hardly wish for a better study resource to show the five points´ faithfulness to Scripture. This disciplined display of the heart of the gospel calls for three of the loudest cheers we can give." "”J. I. Packer

"œTruly a classic"”clear, concise and warm in its presentation of historic Reformed theology. This latest edition is even better than the original." "”R. C. Sproul

Contents

Foreward by Roger Nicole
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition

Part One
The Five Points Defined: Their Origin and Contents

Points of Contention 1
The Protest of the Arminian Party
The Five Points of Arminianism
The Philosophical Basis of Arminianism
A Five-Point Response to Arminianism
Calvinism and Arminianism Compared 5
The Historical Roots of Each System 8
The Controversy Between Palagius and Augustine
Semi-Palagianism, the Forerunner of Arminianism
Calvinism, the Theology of the Reformation
The Difference Between Calvinism and Arminianism 13
The One Point of Calvinism 14

Part Two
The Five Points Defended: Their Biblical Support

Total Depravityy or Total Inability 18
Spiritual Deadness
Darkened Minds and Corrupt Hearts
Bondage to Sin and Satan
A Universal Bondage
Inability to Change
Unconditional Election 27
A Chosen People
Election Not Based on Foreseen Responses
Election Precedes Salvation
Sovereign Mercy
Sovereignty Over All Things
Particular Redemption or Limited Atonement 39
Jesus Actually Saves
Jesus Fulfills the Eternal Covenant
How Jesus Died for "All" and Yet for a Particular People
The Efficacious Call of the Spirit or Irresisible Grace 52
The Spirit Saves
The Spirit Gives New Birth
The Spirit Reveals the Secrets of God
The Spirit Gives Faith and Repentance
The Spirit Effectually Calls
Salvation, Given by a Sovereign God
The Perseverance of the Saints or the Security of Believers 64

Part Three
The Five Points Documented: Recommended Reading

Works Broadly on Calvinism and God's Sovereignty 78
Books Dealing in Whole or in Part with Calvinism or Divine Sovereignty
Articles in Reference Works, Systematic Theologies, Etc.
Information Concerning Creeds and Confessions
Books on the Five Points Individually 121
Human Inability and the Freedom of the Will
Election and Predestination
The Nature and Extent of the Atonement
Efficacious Grace
The Perseverance of the Saints
Afterword by John F. MacArthur Jr. 139

Appendices

A: A Kinder Gentler Calvinism 141
B: Perseverance and Preservation 147
C: The Meaning of "Foreknew" in Romans 8:29 157
D: A Defense of Calvinism 169
E: The Practical Applications 187
F: The Practical Importance of the Doctrine of Predestination 199
G: Calvinism and Arminianism Before and After: A Brief Historical Sketch 205
H: The Cambridge Declaration of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals 231

Index of Scriptures Quoted 239
Index of Persons 243

MY OPINION: THIS BOOK IS ESSENTIAL READING FOR ALL CALVINISTS. Not only is the book loaded with proof texts (Scriptures) for Calvinism, but the book is a must for it's extensive recommended reading section.

[Edited on 6-17-2005 by Apologist4Him]

 

[Me Died Blue]

 

[BlackCalvinist]

Got it.

A few of the chapters from that book (including the essay 'A Kinder, Gentler Calvinism') are on the net nowadays. Still, the book is worth picking up.

I'd recommend (alongside of it) Edwin O. Palmer's booklet by the same name ( The Five Points of Calvinism ).

 

[PuritanCovenanter]

It was the first theological book I had ever read. Maybe the first book I had ever completed. I read it over twenty years ago. I also like Duane Spencers booklet TULIP. I have used both of these in discipleship also.

[Edited on 6-17-2005 by puritancovenanter]

 

[Apologist4Him]

Originally posted by OS_X
Got it.

A few of the chapters from that book (including the essay 'A Kinder, Gentler Calvinism') are on the net nowadays.

Links?

Originally posted by OS_X Still, the book is worth picking up.

Indeed.

Originally posted by OS_XI'd recommend (alongside of it) Edwin O. Palmer's booklet by the same name ( The Five Points of Calvinism ).

Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[BlackCalvinist]

Originally posted by Apologist4Him

Originally posted by OS_X
Got it.

A few of the chapters from that book (including the essay 'A Kinder, Gentler Calvinism') are on the net nowadays.

Links?

A Kinder, Gentler Calvinism
http://www.theologicallycorrect.com/studycenter/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=44

The Meaning of "Foreknew" in Romans 8:29
http://www.cybergeneva.org/verses/foreknew.asp

If you read the booklet years ago, you need to pick up this 40th anniversary edition. It's been expanded by over 150 pages and the appendixeseses alone are worth the price.

Originally posted by OS_XI'd recommend (alongside of it) Edwin O. Palmer's booklet by the same name ( The Five Points of Calvinism ).

Thanks for the recommendation! [/quote]

Palmer is a Supralapsarian.... he's also the head of the translation committee for the NIV .

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

I would also recommend R.L. Dabney's The Five Points of Calvinism and Loraine Boettner's The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination.

 

[Me Died Blue]

Originally posted by VirginiaHuguenot
I would also recommend R.L. Dabney's The Five Points of Calvinism and Loraine Boettner's The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination.

on Boettner's. I have yet to read Dabney's.

 

[Arch2k]

Boettner is very good. My all time favorite is A.W. Pink's Sovereignty of God. It is not meant to be an exposition of the 5 pts., but you won't get better Calvinism anywhere!

 

[BlackCalvinist]

Originally posted by Jeff_Bartel
Boettner is very good. My all time favorite is A.W. Pink's Sovereignty of God. It is not meant to be an exposition of the 5 pts., but you won't get better Calvinism anywhere!

How about the Synod of Dordt ?

Or some old dusty book I found called The Bible ?

 

[Apologist4Him]

Originally posted by OS_XA Kinder, Gentler Calvinism
http://www.theologicallycorrect.com/studycenter/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=44

The Meaning of "Foreknew" in Romans 8:29
http://www.cybergeneva.org/verses/foreknew.asp

Thanks, here is a link to another article in the book: http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm

Originally posted by OS_XIf you read the booklet years ago, you need to pick up this 40th anniversary edition. It's been expanded by over 150 pages and the appendixeseses alone are worth the price.

I'm a newbie to Calvinism, I've been a Calvinist for...a year or less. I sure didn't see it coming, before I converted to Calvinism I said things like "I'll never be a Calvinist". But anyway, I think everyone should own a copy, including non-Calvinists. Perhaps some of the misunderstandings could be cleared up. I think it's also a good book to give to the Arminians one loves. My parents are Arminians, but they're very understanding people, and I should give a copy to my mom, because I think she would read it.

Originally posted by OS_XPalmer is a Supralapsarian.... he's also the head of the translation committee for the NIV.

I am undecided on the infralapsarianism and supralapsarianism issue. I'm trying to figure out how omniscience can have an order...

[Edited on 6-18-2005 by Apologist4Him]

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

The Five Points of Calvinism by W.J. Seaton