Against Calvinism by Roger E Olson Zondervan, 2011 £15 207 pages
ISBN 978 0 310 324 676
Also available as an eBook
Roger Olson is a Baptist minister and a professor of theology at an American theological college. He has written this book to show the theological and logical weaknesses of Calvinism and, by implication, often stated explicitly, where and why Arminianism differs.
The structure that the writer uses in this book is to examine in fine detail the acronym usually associated with Calvinism, viz. TULIP – Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement,Irresistible Grace and Perseverance of the Saints
Wesley himself followed the thought and practice of Jacob Arminius, a Dutch theologian who rejected Calvinism. Arminianism is, accordingly, generally (but not exclusively) accepted in the thought and practice of contemporary Methodism.
According to some writers Calvinism is losing ground to Arminianism, particularly in the United States of America, although there is a “new Calvinism” embraced by a generation known as “young, restless and Reformed”, represented by preachers like John Piper, RC Sproul and Paul Helm. These Calvinists are frequently cited by Professor Olson.
John Calvin (1509 – 1564) was born in France. He fled France in 1534 and in 1536 published his famous ‘Institutes of the Christian Religion’, becoming a major leader of the Protestant Reformation. It should be noted that Calvinism as such was not an entirely new interpretation of Scripture. Calvin’s approach was fairly similar to that of St Augustine (354AD-430AD). Nor indeed was Arminius’ understanding of the Bible completely original. His approach can be traced back to the Eastern fathers of the early church in the 400s and 500s AD.
Roger Olson’s examination of Calvinism is thorough, detailed and exhaustive as one would expect of an experienced academic. His approach is always gracious towards those who take a different view and is backed up with copious references and notes.
The other side of the story can be found in ‘For Calvinism’ by Michael Horton, also published by Zondervan.
The division of thought and interpretation as represented by Calvinism and Arminianism must surely be considered one of the most significant theological divides in the history of the Protestant tradition.
If you want to discover why, as a Methodist, you align yourself with Arminius, not with John Calvin, this is the book for you.
R Wilson