Deviant Calvinism


Book Description

Deviant Calvinism seeks to show that the Reformed tradition is much broader and more variegated than is often thought. Crisps work focuses on a cluster of theological issues concerning the scope of salvation and shows that there are important ways in which current theological discussion of these topics can be usefully resourced by attention to theologians of the past. This book contributes to theological retrieval within the Reformed theology, and establishes a wider path to thinking Calvinism differently.




A Reformed View of Freedom


Book Description

Reformed Christians do not believe in free will. This is a common assertion today and it is completely false. The Reformed tradition does advocate free will, just not libertarian free will. A Reformed View of Freedom: The Compatibility of Guidance Control and Reformed Theology explains how the Reformed tradition articulated its view of human freedom and moral responsibility in terms of rational spontaneity. It shows how the Reformed view of rational spontaneity is compatible with contemporary compatibilist and semi-compatibilist views, especially that of guidance control. This work addresses a number of pressing issues in the current academic climate. Is Reformed theology theological determinism? Is it compatibilism? Did Jonathan Edwards part ways with the Reformed tradition? What is the relationship between Reformed theology and contemporary compatibilist and semi-compatibilist positions in analytic philosophy? This book addresses these questions by exegeting the classic Reformed confessions, catechisms, and Reformed scholastics. It sets them in relation to contemporary analytic philosophy. It is an exercise in analytic theology. The reader will come away with a better understanding of how the Reformed viewed free will and moral responsibility in light of contemporary analytic philosophy.




Deviant Calvinism


Book Description

Deviant Calvinism seeks to show that the Reformed tradition is much broader and more variegated than is often thought. Crisp’s work focuses on a cluster of theological issues concerning the scope of salvation and shows that there are important ways in which current theological discussion of these topics can be usefully resourced by attention to theologians of the past. This book contributes to theological retrieval within the Reformed tradition, and establishes a wider path to thinking Calvinism differently.




Once Loved Always Loved


Book Description

In this book, Andrew Hronich endeavors to synthesize the many strands of orthodox doctrine into a single telos: ultimate reconciliation. While a great deal of ink has already been spilled on this subject, this book addresses ponderances previously overlooked due to a lack of ecumenical dialogue between the differing streams of Christian tradition. Ancient lights, such as Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, and Clement of Alexandria are given a voice to speak again to the masses, whilst contemporary thinkers, such as Thomas Talbott, David Bentley Hart, and Eric Reitan, are unleashed upon the unwitting world of Christian philosophy. Stagnant tradition has hindered the church from abiding by its historic motto semper reformanda, but with its ecumenical voice, this book calls on Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox adherents alike to acknowledge apokatastasis panton, the salvation of all beings, as the orthodoxy it always has been.




Saving Calvinism


Book Description

For many, Calvinism evokes the idea of a harsh God who saves a select few and condemns others to eternal torment. But Oliver Crisp argues that the Reformed tradition is much more diverse and flexible than we usually imagine. Taking on thorny topics like atonement, free will, and universalism, Crisp explores a more expansive Calvinism.




The Word Enfleshed


Book Description

A Fresh Theological Account of the Person and Work of Christ The literature on Christology is large and ever-expanding. The same is true for work on the atonement, which has blossomed in the last decade. Few studies attempt to connect the dots between these two theological topics, however. In this volume, respected theologian Oliver Crisp offers a fresh analytic-theological account of the person and work of Christ, focusing on the theme of union with God Incarnate. Along the way, he engages a range of contemporary and historic Christian thinkers and tackles a number of key issues in contemporary discussions. Wide-ranging and carefully argued, this unified account of the person and work of Christ will be of interest to scholars and students of Christian theology.




Calvinism: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

In this Very Short Introduction, Jon Balserak explores major ideas associated with the Calvinist system of thought. Beginning during the Protestant Reformation in cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Basel, Calvinismâalso known as Reformed Theologyâspread rapidly throughout Europe and the New World, eventually making its way to the African Continent and the East. Balserak examines how Calvinist thought and practice spread and took root, helping shape church and society. Much of contemporary thought, especially western thought, on everything from theology to civil government, economics, the arts, work and leisure, education, and the family has been influenced by Calvinism. Balserak explores this influence. He also examines common misconceptions and objections to Calvinism, and sets forth a Calvinist understanding of God, the world, humankind, and the meaning of life. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.




Reformed Theology


Book Description

This book introduces Reformed theology by surveying the doctrinal concerns that have shaped its historical development. The book sketches the diversity of the Reformed tradition through the past five centuries even as it highlights the continuity with regard to certain theological emphases. In so doing, it accentuates that Reformed theology is marked by both formal ('the always reforming church') and material ('the Reformed church') interests. Furthermore, it attends to both revisionary and conservative trends within the Reformed tradition. The book covers eight major theological themes: Word of God, covenant, God and Christ, sin and grace, faith, worship, confessions and authority, and culture and eschatology. It engages a variety of Reformed confessional writings, as well as a number of individual theologians (including Zwingli, Calvin, Bullinger, Bucer, Beza, Owen, Turretin, Edwards, Schleiermacher, Hodge, Shedd, Heppe, Bavinck, Barth, and Niebuhr).




Does God Love All or Some?


Book Description

The term "extensivism" describes my position regarding the doctrine of salvation. Specifically, extensivism believes that man was created in the image of God with otherwise choice; God's salvation plan involves an all-inclusive unconditional offer of salvation to every person, reception of which is conditioned upon grace-enabled faith rather than Calvinism's exclusive plan of a limited actual offer of salvation to only the unconditionally elected. Generally, it replaces the term "non-Calvinism." These are the five primary objectives of the book: First, my considerations would result in a deeper understanding of God. Second, I will demonstrate that God salvationally loves every single person. Third, I intend to offer a precise and respectful critique of Calvinism's internal and biblical inconsistencies (these are largely due to its commitment to compatibilism and unconditional election). Fourth, I will demonstrate that God's free choice to endow man with libertarian freedom is a more biblical perspective. Fifth, because a significant percentage of people who become Calvinists do not actually understand Calvinism, I seek to present Calvinism and extensivism in language that is precisely and consistently reflective of the commitments of each perspective regarding God's sovereignty, salvific love, foreknowledge, and man's freedom; this so a person can make an informed choice about Calvinism.




Calvin on the Death of Christ


Book Description

John Calvin's understanding of the extent of the atonement achieved in Christ's death is one of the most contested questions in historical theology. In common thought, Calvin's name is closely associated with the 'limited atonement' stance canonized within the 'TULIP' acronym, but Calvin's personal endorsement of a strictly particularist view, whereby Christ died for the elect alone, is debatable. In Calvin on the Death of Christ, Paul Hartog re-examines Calvin's writing on the subject, traces the various resulting historical trajectories, and engages with the full spectrum of more recent scholarship. In so doing, he makes clear that, while Calvin undoubtedly believed in unconditional election, he also repeatedly spoke of Christ dying for 'all' or for 'the world'. These phrases must be held central if we are to discover Calvin's own view of the subject. Hartog's conclusions will surprise some, and may hold significant implications for the Calvinist tradition today. Throughout, however, they are cogently articulated and sensitively pitched.