I will explain the traditional principles commonly referred to as Calvinism. I will then demonstrate that the most popular proof texts (i.e., Bible passages offered to establish a point) for this belief system do not actually support it. - p. 8.

Does God love everyone? When Jesus died on the cross at Calvary, did he die for the sins of the elect only or for the sins of the whole world? Can anyone respond in faith to the gospel message? Or is the act of believing a gift of God only given to a subset of humanity called the elect so that the rest of humanity is unable to believe and destined to spend eternity apart from God? What does the term elect mean in the New Testament? These are fundamental questions about the God of the Bible and the salvation He provides in Jesus Christ. This book invites you to sit as an unbiased juror and consider the traditional principles of TULIP Calvinism as explained by the leading Calvinists in their own words, then to weigh their proffered Scriptural evidence to make your own determination. This book will address exegetically all of the most commonly cited proof texts for Calvinism, with a thorough consideration of the "pillar" passages like John 6:44, Romans 3 and 9, and Ephesians 1:4. This book will defend a middle ground position (called NULIF - "new life") between TULIP Calvinism and Arminianism and demonstrate that you can tell people with confidence that God loves them, Jesus died for their sins, and they can be saved by trusting Christ for the forgiveness of their sins based on his finished work at Calvary. HUTSON SMELLEY is an attorney, Bible teacher and seminary student residing in Houston, Texas with his wife and seven children. He has a degree in Biblical Studies from the College of Biblical Studies, a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Houston, a M.S. in Mathematics from Texas A&M University, and a J.D. from the University of Houston. His website can be found at www.proclaimtheword.net.

Calvinist theology has been debated and promoted for centuries. But is it a theology that should last? Roger Olson suggests that Calvinism, also commonly known as Reformed theology, holds an unwarranted place in our list of accepted theologies. In Against Calvinism, readers will find scholarly arguments explaining why Calvinist theology is incorrect and how it affects God’s reputation. Olson draws on a variety of sources, including Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience, to support his critique of Calvinism and the more historically rich, biblically faithful alternative theologies he proposes. Addressing what many evangelical Christians are concerned about today—so-called “new Calvinism,” a movement embraced by a generation labeled as “young, restless, Reformed” —Against Calvinism is the only book of its kind to offer objections from a non-Calvinist perspective to the current wave of Calvinism among Christian youth. As a companion to Michael Horton’s For Calvinism, readers will be able to compare contrasting perspectives and form their own opinions on the merits and weaknesses of Calvinism.

Why another book debating Calvinism? Calvinism and Arminianism are like two ships passing each other in the night. Neither side can understand the other's deeply felt conviction regarding what they believe is the most pivotal issue in the debate. How many times have both camps felt as though the other was speaking a foreign language as they hotly departed from one another? The debate has essentially always been about how a sinner can or cannot believe in Jesus. Calvinists assert that men are totally incapable of responding in faith and must first be the recipients of a superintending grace of God that effectually saves them before they exercise that faith that results in Justification. Arminians assert that men do possess an ability within themselves to believe in Jesus and that men do have freewill. The solution to this age-old debate is neither Calvinism nor Arminianism - the solution is Dynamism. Let there be no mistake, Recanting Calvinism is no defense of Arminianism. Man does not have freewill Man is totally depraved Man is completely dependant upon God Once saved, always saved God wants everyone to be saved Jesus died for everyone Man can believe without first being regenerated Faith determines salvation Steven and his wife Alison live in Perth, Western Australia, with their five children. For almost twenty years Steven was a Calvinist and has been a member of three Reformed Baptist Churches in the States and Australia. Steven has recanted Calvinism and is passionate that Evangelical Calvinists might do the same for a Dynamic Gospel. Steven is a dual citizen of the U.S.A. and Australia and has a B.A. in Speech Communications (U.S.A.) and a Bachelor of Theology from the Australian College of Theology (An Australian BTh is equivalent to a MDiv in the U.S.A.).

Paying particular attention to the issue of God's sovereignty, Jerry L. Walls and Joseph R. Dongell critique biblical and theological weaknesses of Calvinist thought.

ABOUT THE BOOK: A Cultish Side of Calvinism was first written for the purpose of clarifying Calvinistic theology, but Coate's research led him to the conclusion that it shares significant similarities to unorthodox Christian faiths. Coate's scrutiny will prove to be biblically balanced and practically engaging for anyone remotely interested in Christian theology. As a pastor, speaker, and hospital chaplain, Micah has experienced firsthand Calvinism's effect in Christian culture. He clearly writes how you can beware the pitfalls of Calvinism's overly systematized theology. If the rise of a cultish theology grows within Christendom, so must a true discernment of its claims and consequences. The same standard that has placed Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Scientologists outside the Christian camp of orthodoxy has now, for the first time, placed the theology of Calvinism as being too cultish for comfort. Unlike any other book on the market, A Cultish Side of Calvinism not only shows that the theology of Calvinism is more systematic than biblical, but that it is comparable to almost any classic Christian cult. Most people know that Evangelical Christianity has rightly denounced theologies that differ in the essentials of the faith. Yet, due to its foothold on Christian 'orthodoxy', the theology of Calvinism has mainly gone unnoticed, leaving many young Christians unaware of the veiled and yet essential claims of their newly found theology. The September 2006 issue of Christianity Today sums up the previous claims that Calvinism is growing among a new generation of Christians. The story's title says it all: "Young, Restless, Reformed. Calvinism is making a comeback-and shaking up the church." If the claims of this book go unchecked and Calvinism is indeed "shaking up the church," we should fear that it will tragically break up the body of Christ even further. **** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Whether in a classroom or a church setting, Micah desires to present the claims of the Bible in relevant and honest ways. He makes the study of theology and religion practical and freshly engaging. Other than speaking and writing on theology, Micah is also building an archive of articles on politics and ethics emphasizing the place for common sense. His hunger to seek God's Truth in all spheres of life is captivating and exciting. Micah is married with one child. He enjoys music, art, and the outdoors. In his free time he likes to work on his house. micahcoate.com