Customer Reviews

Calvinism, Arminianism, and the Word of God: A Calvary Chapel Perspective

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A great, easy read with the difference between Calvanism and Arminianism and what the Word of God says.
If there is anything that I would say against this book, it is that it is a bit brief. It is very much a "booklet" and doesn't take more than 10-15 minutes to read.

This twenty-page pamphlet gives an excellent overview of Calvinism and Arminianism, both historical and theological. It is concisely and comparatively written making it easy to understand the general philosophies of both ideologies. Chuck does not set out to prove one theology right over the other. Rather he says up front, "Calvary Chapel has been known for striking a balance between extremes on controversial theological issues that have often caused division rather than unity in the body of Christ." (p.5.)

Chuck Smith shows both sides very clearly, and then he clarifies where the whole light of scripture stands on each. He doesn't discount either side, but he explains what his interpretation of the Word of God is in regard to each. Fast and easy read!

I battled with this dilemma between free will and predestination for some time. This booklet cleared up alot of the confusion!

Has the church "struggled" with this "issue" since the Reformation? Or has Chuck Smith departed from historical Christianity? The church did not begin with the Jesus movement in the 60s...

Sadly Chuck Smith hopes to dismiss hundreds of years of church history stretching back before the Reformation with a terse 20-page pamphlet. If you want to believe what Pastor Smith tells you without reading your Bible, by all means pick this up. Otherwise study out the issue for yourself, Bible in hand, and may the Holy Spirit guide you into truth with the rest of Jesus' church (Jn 16:4-15).