Publisher's Synopsis
Without a doubt, the issue of Calvinism vs. Arminianism has been a subject of debate-often with considerable heat-for centuries. "Fifty Reasons to Believe in Calvinism and Fifty Reasons Not To" addresses the controversy with a different method, using the assumptions of Calvin and his followers to break everything into small bites. Gilbert VanOrder writes to help struggling Calvinists-and those who care about them, as every Arminian should-to find the truly biblical way through the wilderness. Does God really choose who will be saved and who will be damned, without any choice on their part? Does he harden the hearts of people like Pharaoh? Was Esau doomed to hell before he was even born? Once people are converted, are they free to live however they wish and still go to heaven? Is God fair? Often these difficulties tie scholars up in knots, but the author skillfully avoids "scholar speak" and writes in a relaxed, conversational voice. He does not shy away from the difficult passages; he deals with each one head on, yet in a respectful spirit. He holds up the mirror of the Scriptures in context so that light shines brightly on each passage. He examines the historical background of Reformation Theology, exposing its beginnings with Augustine's melding of paganism with Christian teaching, and reveals Calvinism's much-loved "logic" as depending on human reason rather than the clear teaching of the Word of God. Here is a unique examination of the doctrines that will help every reader to "rightly divide the word of truth."
