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Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport: Making Connections in Today's World

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With some trepidation and the consent of my Diaconal board, I am about to do a sermon series on the 5 Points of Calvinism, something I never dared in my collective Protestant military chaplain days. Since the doctrines of grace are an integral part of our theology, they should be preached. But how does one relate "heavy" theology to the person in the pew? How can I keep it from becoming an intellectual exercise? Just as I was preparing and pondering, Fuller Seminary President Richard J. Mouw's book hit the market, with what has to be the religious book "title of the year". Mouw takes a scene from a movie in which a Reformed layman explains TULIP to a non-religious young woman. He summarized the points, but they failed to hit the mark. She left bewildered by what seemed an imponderable system. Mouw wants to help Calvinism into the 21st Century by making it relevant to life, and by examining how we may best convey its teachings. He wants considers how to reach that woman in the airport. He covers the 5 points, deals briefly with the problem of pain, confesses his own struggles, and calls for pluralistic dialogue with charity and tolerance. Calvinism is an intellectually stimulating approach, so it's important that we stress the closeness of our walk with Christ along with the rightness of our doctrine. I recommend this to fellow Calvinists who want a fresh look at our beloved system of thought.

I grew up in a Reformed family, in a Reformed church, in a Reformed school. I was eating TULIP before I was drinking milk! So, its somewhat an enigma for those who know me that I have such reservations about Calvinism. I have tried talking on blogs about these reservations but mostly get responses that don't further endear me to a Calvinist mindset.

But Mouw's book is different. Richard Mouw accomplishes exactly what he sets out to do in this book - a description of how best to be a Calvinist in the 21st century. I could almost entirely embrace Mouw's form and approach to Calvinism - which is no small statement for me to make!!

He does not spend a tremendous amount of time discussing the intricacies of the doctrine which will upset some. He is open to the fact that there may be other believers who have some mixed up doctrine but will still be saved - and he is open to hearing their concerns about where his doctrine might be mixed up. That will upset others. He admits that Scripture, taken at face value, says things that are in tension with his theology. He accepts these tensions rather than trying to twist Scripture to fit his theology. Some will gnash their teeth over this.

I get the sense that Mouw is the type of person that I could sit down with and I would be impressed with his humility, spiritual maturity, humor, and flexibility. That would not only make me willing to listen to what he has to say about Calvinism - I might even be drawn to it!

Ignore the comments that say this is not a book worth buying. The book is not designed to teach people the basic beliefs of Calvinism. However, it would be very helpful to those who recognize that there is great good in Calvinism but can't completely wade their way through it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone desiring to figure out a more embracing approach to Calvinism.

For a more complete review, go to the blog in my screen name and click on either the Readings or Reforming categories.

If there's one thing that Calvinists are especially not good at, it's explaining themselves in a way in which non-Calvinists could possibly understand them. This is one reason why it took me some time to become a Calvinist- none that I'd talk to bothered to articulate the "Doctrines of Grace" in a way that made sense to my Arminianist ears. Richard Mouw cites an example of this played out in the movie Hardcore. A pious Calvinist, Jack, is waiting in the Las Vegas airport with Niki, a pagan prostitute. They begin to discuss what Jack's beliefs are and he expounds on the great truths of the Canons of Dort summed up in TULIP. Niki is bewildered and Jack simply says, "Well, I admit it's a little confusing when you look at it from the outside. You have to try to look at it from the inside."

This scene in the Las Vegas airport sets the stage for Richard Mouw's book. There are at least two problems with the way Calvinists represent themselves to the world, including other Christians, according to Dr. Mouw. The first is the expression of doctrine and the general inability to explain Calvinist theology. "I believe that TULIP, properly understood, captures something very central to the gospel. And I want to bring that gospel to Niki and her kind." (14) The second problem is more along the lines of character. "I must also say up front that it isn't just in our conversations with unbelievers that I find many Calvinists lacking in gentleness and respect. I even find these qualities missing in Calvinists' interactions with other Christians. Indeed, Calvinists are often not very gentle and respectful when debating fine points of doctrine with fellow Calvinists." (15)

Dr. Mouw first sets the stage by noting why he considers himself a "Calvinist" and how he became one. In chapter 3, "Mere Calvinism," he summarizes the famous five points so as to show exactly what Calvinism teaches. In the following chapter Dr. Mouw zeros in on "L"- limited, or particular, atonement. He explains why this doctrine, though he believes it, is left on his "theological shelf," only to be utilized when necessary.

Chapter 6 deals with the problem of God's sovereignty and evil. Dr. Mouw's solution is that while "God ordains/permits everything that comes to pass, we don't simply have to accept that fact. We can complain to God rather vigorously about the things we have a hard time accepting." (51) Following this he makes the case that we aren't simply elected; we are elected to something- to be agents of God's sovereign rule. He saw this played out in his life as he recognized Christ as Savior, Lord, and King through different stages in his life.

The teachings of Abraham Kuyper are the focus of chapter 7. Dr. Mouw argues here that we are to be public Calvinists. While we will not succeed in "Christianizing" the world, we should adhere to the Christian worldview and seek to transform our culture according to it. He then deals with the commons accusation that the God of Calvinism is stingy about whom He saves. In Chapter 9, Dr. Mouw shares a number of encounters he had on his own journey through the Las Vegas airport. In reflecting on how he might have responded in one of his encounters, he envisions his Dutch grandmother quoting the First Question and Answer of the Heidelberg Catechism.

Jake's mistake, according to Dr. Mouw, is that he quoted from the Canons of Dordt instead of Heidelberg. His reasoning echoes a lecture he attending by Louis Berkhof who said that Heidelberg asks us to speak existentially. In speaking of our only comfort it speaks of man personally instead of generally. Dr. Mouw concludes in chapter 11 with some reflections on where Calvinists can learn from others on improving their character.

The questions this book raise are central to many of the issues surrounding why I left an RCA church earlier this year. The questions are the right ones to ask, like, "what does Calvinism have to say to our present world?" However, the church answered these questions by "shelving" all of their Calvinist and Reformed theology with the exception of infant baptism. As this is an issue close to my heart, I was encouraged to find some helpful suggestions for interacting in our world without shelving my Reformed theology in Dr. Mouw's book.

I do take exception with the idea that we should shelve limited/particular atonement. Perhaps we should shelf some of our terminology, but the doctrine itself is so key to the Gospel that I cannot imagine shelving it without feeling that I've compromised the entire message in some way. I also had trouble, though less so, with the idea that we should complain before the throne of God. If I had a child who complained in the way Dr. Mouw describes, I would discipline him immediately. These ideas, as Dr. Mouw would put it, make me nervous.

There were far more things in the book, however, that I found insightful and enjoyable. I went to my first catechism service last Sunday (no other church I've attended has ever offered one) and I'm already hooked on the Heidelberg. I think the perspective it takes, in as much of it that I've studied, is much more helpful in articulating Reformed beliefs in a common vernacular than the often misunderstood TULIP of Dordt.

Overall I found Richard Mouw's personal engagement of the issues to be heartening. His repeated quotes from men like Spurgeon, Kuyper, and Warfield added richness to his already insightful points. In general, Dr. Mouw's suggestions for communicating Calvinism in contemporary culture with gentleness and respect are much needed within the Reformed community. Unfortunately, those who need to read this book the most will likely prematurely dismiss it as watered-down theology. This is a loss not just to them, but to those they interact with, as they'll miss out on the many positive insights offered here. Regardless, my hope is that it will be taken seriously and be read by Calvinists as well as those who've been offended by them.

After attending Calvin College, you'd think I would have a good grasp of the 5 points of Calvinism - but there is a wealth of information in this book that is useful to even the seasoned Calvinist. Richard Mouw has a writing style in this book which is both informative and practical. Mouw takes the reader through the fundamental precepts of Calvinism, discussing each point with clarity and brevity. He inflects useful analogies and stories into the narrative which helped me understand the main points - leaving me with the desire to learn more on the topic. TULIP is explained to the reader though a simplified discussion of the important elements and examples of how you can apply these points in your life.

The size of the book definitely worked for me - shorter chapters allowed me to pick it up and set it down easily as time permitted. The reading age for this book is targeted at adults, and I would encourage Mouw to look into writing a book like this for the catechism age children. It would be a great companion for a more practical look at Calvinism during the study of the Heidelberg. I recommend this book strongly - well done Dr Mouw.

Richard Mouw's Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport (Zondervan, 2004) should be read by every Reformed-leaning Southern Baptist. No, he does not dot his "i's" and cross his "t's" like strict Calvinists. Neither does he offer much of a biblical defense for his Calvinist heritage. But we could all learn from the gentle tone of Mouw's writing. Mouw exemplifies in this book the humble spirit that is often missing among Calvinists.

Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport begins with the scene from the movie Hardcore, in which a man tries to explain the TULIP to a prostitute. Mouw, of course, sees the humor in the film's stark presentation of Calvinist doctrines to someone who needs salvation before a theological treatise. But Mouw unapologetically comes down on the side of Calvinism all throughout the book. What the book becomes is a gentle apologetic for Calvinism that avoids the sterile theological debates in which Arminians and Calvinisms shout out Scripture passages to one another.

Mouw's chapter "Mere Calvinism" is a very helpful summation of Calvinist soteriology, and his willingness to avoid hang-ups over "Limited Atonement" is a breath of fresh air. I also found helpful his description of Kuyper and that stream of Calvinism.

Two problems, however, surface in the book. The first is found in the basis of Mouw's apologetic. Thankfully, he does not engage in the endless battle of Scriptural prooftexts used to justify one position over another. But his alternative is no better. The basis for his apologetic turns out to be personal experience. Several times, he mentions how he feels that Total Depravity is true. He grounds his Calvinist apologetic in experience, and that actually serves to undercut his arguments.

The second problem is even greater, though it stems somewhat from the first. An entire chapter is dedicated to Mouw's inclusivist understanding of salvation, in which he entertains "hopes and hunches" that those who do not profess faith in Christ may wind up in heaven anyway. He admits that Scripture doesn't always seem to line up with this belief, but (experience again) Mouw feels that it might be so anyway.

These are two caveats that the discerning reader will have to pass over if one wants to enjoy the book. I was encouraged as I read Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport, happy to remember some of the reasons why I delight in the doctrine of God's sovereignty and divine choice.

Richard Mouw writes in a personable and likable style, but his defense of Calvinism left me unconvinced. He seemed concerned to persuade the reader that Calvinists are nice people (and most are),but he didn't provide much in the way of a scriptural basis for Calvinism itself. This was an easy and pleasant read, but when the book was finished I was still hungry for evidence that Calvinism is grounded in reality.

Great book that challenges Calvinists to get out of their comfortable ivory tower, and to engage those who are suffering. The author does a great job of showing that as the holders of strong Biblical positions we have the obligation of going beyond the walls of the church, and into the world to help people find comfort in the great truths of the Christian faith.

This is an intriguing book about the relevance of the five points of Calvinism. It's great for the first seven chapters, and then Mouw's inclusivism bubbles to the surface.

This is a very helpful book from a very wise man.
I particularly appreciated how Dr. Mouw shows how various Christian communities have specializations (e.g., the Mennonites regarding community and trusting in God's protection) that can teach all of us things that our particular community of faith may not be as strong on. I liked his humility and willing to say those things.

His treatment of the essence of Calvinism and Heidelberg One is also helpful. I really recommend this book to people who want to understand what the Calvinist doctrines mean, and don't really mean, and who want to understand how to hold to the essence and meaning of these doctrines while participating in the wider Church, and wider world.

Finally I loved how Dr. Mouw showed the contradiction between believing that we belong to God, and that all we have has come from God, and holding tenaciously and pridefully to our lives and possessions, including in our politcial and economic fear and anger, as so many of us do. He really sees to the heart of the matter; I"ve studied the Heidelberg extensively, and never before saw so clearly how the 5 Points of Calvinism are reflected in Heidelberg One. Very good for teachers in the Reformed tradition churches.

This is a wonderful apology for reformed theology. The last chapter alone is worth the price of the book. If you want to understand how to be reformed in a society which resists the sovereignty of God, this is a wonderful place to start. If you want a reason to stay the course and value your belief system read the commentary of F 451.