Book Review: The Five Points of Calvinism

 

Among my other recent activities, I just finished reading a book titled The Five Points of Calvinism: A Study Guide by Edwin Palmer. To get to the point in case you don't feel like spending time reading a review, buy it and read it. The book covers the title topic extensively yet in a concise and comprehensive way that any reader on any path in their spiritual walk can understand.

The Forward and Preface of this book are even worth reading. Written by Westminister Theological Seminary professor Michael Horton, the forward explains to the reader the value of the book they are about to read; a book that he recommends in company with those of J.I. Packer and R.C. Sproul. The Preface (written by Palmer) introduces the ideas and points that Palmer will talk about in the upcoming chapter as well as a small background on John Calvin himself and his theology.

Working a chapter at a time, Palmer delves into the acronym of TULIP explaining thoroughly what the definition and applicable verses are, what each idea is and is not, and any concessions an opposing view may have on the idea. Each chapter is riddled with explanation- not only of the idea, but other vocabulary within the text- and application as well as answers to frequently asked questions. The scriptural references are quoted in context and are studied humbly understanding that not even the author knows everything about the subject or, more so, the Bible.

After the five chapters of TULIP, Palmer addresses the "Great Mystery" of the Bible and offers some answers and ideas to ponder. One of my favorite parts of this book aside from the vast amount of information it provides is the humility of Edwin Palmer mostly noted in this chapter. He confesses that he humanly does not have all the answers, that we can't always stick logic with the thought process of God, because His is almighty and much more advanced than a man could ever comprehend. And lastly, he addresses the thing many Christians and calvinists ponder: the opposite side of election that is called reprobation. Palmer gives "Twelve Theses" on the Biblical evidence and thought of the idea and ties all of the points together, as you cannot have one idea without the other four.

This guide also provides numerous resources for the reader to further study in the back of the novel, noting the novels and articles that were read to compile the book. Furthermore, the author includes an article from John Calvin on his attitude toward the doctrine of predestination as well as articles and sections from The Belgic Confession of Faith (1561), The Westminister Confession of Faith (1648), and the Heidelberg Catechism (1563). And for any person who likes to read groups in small groups or ask questions of what they just read, discussion questions are at the end of each chapter to help the reader further grasp the idea that is no simple task to conceive.

All in all, the book was fantastic and helped ground in my beliefs in what the Bible has to say and how to explain it to others who may ask. Do yourself a favor and add this to your library along with the humility and knowledge it will bring.

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." (2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV)

Lome Sweet Lome

Moving is a odd thing. Migrating from one place to another is nearly a surrealistic experience because it feels as though you're simply on vacation or visiting a place; not actually replacing your address with another. Moreover, having a moving crew of coffee-crazed college students is a beautiful thing, making you only carry one box to reveal where your room is located and unpacking nine months of living material in about five minutes.

But for me, despite the days activities and move in, it still has yet to set in. Tonight will be my first night living on my own, along with my roommate and new good friend Brandon. Looking back at the overwhelming and long day, I have but two feelings:  happiness and sorrow. I'm excited to live the dorm life, eat food at the "caf", have a room smaller than a studio apartment, and live in a place on the beach that gets 300 days of sun per year instead of 30. On the other side, I've left home, friends and family, and a loving church family that was my own.

Before my family left their son at the end of the days festivities, my mother did what any mother would do: ball. My brother did what any younger sibling would do: ask when their leaving and if he can have my room. My father did something that caught a son off guard though: I received a hug, a kiss on the cheek, and he said, "Buddy, I love you, I'm gunna miss you, I'm very proud of you." These words will ring as the best of all of my orientation process. Words that mean something and leave one with more than just a though or a sentence lacking conjunctions, but a thought of a love shared in a family spoken from one to another.

Pretty soon things will start picking up here; class will start, then comes homework followed by studying along with midterms and finals. But for now, the GAP (Getting Acquainted/Awkward Party) and "speed meeting" at orientation suit me well. I assume I will grow accustomed to my new life but never forget for a second my Olympians. I already miss you so and it's been less than a week! Nevertheless, that's what Facebook and Skype are for.

Matthew 16:24-25
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (ESV)

The Olympia Blues

"It'll be a day like this one, when the world caves in, when the world caves in..." The Blues by Switchfoot

Today I leave the town that is home to me to a foreign land with sunshine and ocean beach. While I can say I am very excited, that excitement also comes with a second hand of sorrow:  leaving home. Olympia, as strange a city as it may be, has fostered me to my current existence, and as they say, "Home is where the heart is."

Everything I know is in Olympia. My foundations, my family, my church, my heart. San Diego is the next chapter in my life, but will never be called "home." New things will be found: new friends, new knowledge, new readings, new sceneries, this I am grateful for, but nothing may cure my Olympia Blues but time itself.

Later in the song, Foreman writes, “It’ll be a day like this one when the sky falls down, and the hungry and the poor and deserted are found.” While my sky isn’t quite falling down, I’m sure it’ll feel like it for a time after my parents drop me off. I, like mankind before me, am the broken one battling through what life throws at me with God's grace as my motivation to persevere. With few friends I shall make more and build new relationships to add to those I await at home; and those at home I already miss. "Is there any other honest song to sing besides these blues?"


But I know soon I will adjust and in a few short months I will return home to be with my friends and family to share stories with each other. Maybe my blues aren't so blue after all, but rather shades of highlight that one day I will be able to look back upon with fond memories. December 17th will come sooner than expected, until then friends, let's keep in touch.

 
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me" Phillipians 4:13