Mouw presents an honest, often helpful interaction with the ‘five points’ of Calvinism. Instead of rehashing historical doctrines, he focuses on the way Calvinism is often harshly communicated and perceived. Mouw considers compassionate, respectful alternatives in the ways Calvinists express their beliefs. While the first half is passable, Mouw then sadly reveals inclusivist positions on salvation and veers toward sweeping ecumenicalism. Also very troubling is how Scripture is seldom used, seemingly in favor of personal experience.

Like every other theological system, Calvinism acknowledges human responsibility. But when Calvinists get around to attempting to explain the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human freedom, we are so concerned to protect the former that we are willing to risk sounding like we are waffling on the latter rather than to imply in any way that God’s power is limited. Our instincts here are the opposite of many other Christians, who would much rather be accused of denying God’s full sovereignty than to give the impression that they are putting curbs on human freedom. [27]

Calvinism points me to the reality of a sovereign God whose ways are infinitely higher than our human minds can grasp. In the final analysis, in dealing with many of these mysterious things, all I can do is acknowledge God’s sovereign purposes, while at the same time reminding myself that this God calls me to be obedient to those things that are clearly within my grasp to understand. [45]

We do not dishonor God if we struggle honestly with questions about how we are to best understand His self-revelation. It is not insulting to Him if we sincerely express our puzzlement and frustrations in His presence. But because we also know that He is sovereign—and that He does not have to justify His ways to us—we must eventually get around to the praise songs. [56]

It is not enough to be elected, and to rejoice in that fact. Divine election is to something. We are chosen by God to serve in an “office.” This is where we need to go a step beyond the TULIP doctrines. Those teachings focus on an important question: How do fallen, hopelessly depraved human creatures get right with God? And the shorthand answer is: By sovereign grace. But there is an important next question: And what happens after we are made right with God? And here too the answer centers on the notion of divine sovereignty: God elects us to participate in a covenant community that shows forth His sovereign rule over all areas of life. [64]

Those of us who have been saved by sovereign grace have to bear witness to His sovereign rule over all things. When we go to school or work or play, we are going into His territory. All those square inches belong to Him. And out task is to live as people who know the Ruler. It may not always be clear to us just how we are to acknowledge His ownership. But the question about how best to do so should always be on our minds. [82]

TOP