High Calvinists in Action


Book Description

This contribution to the debate about the relation of religion to the modern city fills a gap in the historiography of early 19th-century religious life. It provides a pioneering study of local churches in the urban environment.




High Calvinists in Action


Book Description

This valuable contribution to the debate about the relation of religion to the modern city fills an important gap in the historiography of early nineteenth-century religious life. Although there is some evidence that strict doctrine led to a more restricted response to urban problems, extensive local and personal variations mean that simple generalizations should be avoided. Ian J.Shaw argues against earlier prejudiced views and shows that high Calvinists played a vigorous and successful part in the response of early nineteenth-century churches to the process of urbanization. The study includes six substantial case studies of ministers and their churches in Manchester and London. Four high Calvinist ministers are considered, with two studies of ministers holding to an evangelical Calvinist doctrine also included to provide instructive contrasts. Detailed social analysis of the congregations is based upon extensive use of manuscript and printed sources, sermons, and local and denominational press.




The Emergence of Hyper-Calvinism in English Nonconformity 1689-1765


Book Description

Peter Toon published articles dealing with various facets of Calvinistic theology in the Age of Reason. These articles were by-products of research he was conducting at London University into the origins of a logical, arid form of Calvinism (hyper-Calvinism) found among Congregationalists and Baptists in the first half of the 18th century. Though his study has particular relevance to Strict Baptists, who have become the custodians of hyper-Calvinism, it is also a contribution to our knowledge of the 18thcentury Nonconformity as well as the history of the development of Reformed doctrine. --from publisher description







Young, Restless, Reformed


Book Description

From places like John Piper's den, Al Mohler's office, and Jonathan Edwards's college, Christianity Today journalist Collin Hansen investigates what makes today's young Calvinists tick. Church-growth strategies and charismatic worship have fueled the bulk of evangelical growth in America for decades. While baby boomers have flocked to churches that did not look or sound like church, it seems these churches do not so broadly capture the passions of today's twenty-something evangelicals. In fact, a desire for transcendence and tradition among young evangelicals has contributed to a Reformed resurgence. For nearly two years, Christianity Today journalist Collin Hansen visited the chief schools, churches, and conferences of this growing movement. He sought to describe its members and ask its leading pastors and theologians about the causes and implications of the Calvinist resurgence. The result, Young, Restless, Reformed, shows common threads in their diverse testimonies and suggests what tomorrow's church might look like when these young evangelicals become pastors or professors.




High Calvinism


Book Description

Debates about Calvinism often suffer from a lack of clarity. In this book Sonny Hernandez sets the record straight and explains what true Calvinism is. He has done the church a great service and his book should be widely read. DR. GERALD BRAY, Research Professor, Beeson Divinity School With this book, Dr. Hernandez speaks to the heart of every lover of what the author calls "high Calvinism" (clearly distinguished from "hyper-Calvinism") and what is, in reality, the sound, unadulterated gospel of (sovereign) grace. Necessarily, therefore, the book will offend all who are offended by the gospel, particularly the many who exert themselves in the unholy tasks of "moderating" the gospel of grace or of redoing it as a "new Calvinism." Hernandez' polemics against these "bastardizations" of creedal Calvinism (as Hernandez describes the apostasy) and against traditional Arminianism are vigorous. Thus, he proves himself the rare, genuine defender of Calvinism, and the equally rare contender for the faith, in our day (cf. Jude 3). DAVID J. ENGELSMA, Emeritus Professor, Protestant Reformed Seminary




Andrew Fuller's Theology of Revival


Book Description

Revival is the arguable heartbeat of evangelical Christianity. Though a theologically diverse and globally diffused phenomenon, evangelicalism originated in a distinctly Calvinistic milieu. Many Puritans in the seventeenth century, “evangelicals before the revivals,” emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit, including the importance of personal conversion. Unlike theologically Arminian proponents of revival such as Charles G. Finney, many Puritans and early evangelicals believed and taught that the absolute sovereignty of God was compatible with human responsibility. Calvinistic Baptists in the early eighteenth century who rejected this tension declined numerically, yet a new generation of pastors led their denomination through this impasse. Andrew Fuller (1754–1815) defended Reformed doctrine in the Particular Baptist tradition while emphasizing the importance of human response in his preaching, writing, and fundraising for the Baptist Missionary Society. The fruit of Fuller’s ministry included growth of churches in England, conversions among people groups in the Global South, and the preservation of Reformed theology in a challenging Enlightenment context.




Tethered to the Cross


Book Description

What guided English Baptist minister Charles H. Spurgeon's reading of Scripture? Tracing the development of Spurgeon's thought and his approach to biblical hermeneutics throughout his ministry, theologian and historian Thomas Breimaier argues that Spurgeon viewed the entire Bible through the lens of the cross of Christ.




Jacobus Arminius Stands His Ground


Book Description

On October 30, 1608, Jacobus Arminius presented his Declaration of Sentiments to the Assembly of the States of Holland and West Friesland in the Binnenhof at The Hague. First, Arminius sought to defend himself and his theological views from the spirited attacks of opponents such as Gomarus, Lubbertus, and Plancius. Second, Arminius hoped to bring to light the wrongdoings of the European church and its extremist understanding of certain Christian doctrines. Having trained in Geneva under Jean Calvin’s successor, Theodore Beza (1519–1605), and having further expanded and honed his theology at the University of Leyden from both lectern and the pulpit, Arminius thoroughly presented his theological views in both oral and written form. He spoke in his native Dutch language to an assembly of his peers and religious authorities with the hopes of avoiding a theological rift in Holland—while at the same time hoping to remove a long-standing conflict with the Supralapsarian faction warring against him. Thus, Arminius’ Declaration of Sentiments is a sophisticated, passionate appeal to reason, scripture, and community. With each section, Arminius seeks not only to demonstrate the error of the attacks on him, but also to point out how and why reconciliation can take place through a careful examination of various precepts of Christian thought.