by John Lennox Monarch Books, 2017 368 pages £12.99 ISBN 978 0 857 218 728
It is altogether refreshing to find a book written by someone who is not a theologian about a deeply theological subject. By profession, John Lennox is a mathematician (emeritus professor of maths at Oxford), and, as is to be expected from a scientist of his calibre, his writing is steeped in strict logic.
It needs to be admitted, however, that the interpretation of Scripture does not necessarily or always lend itself to the demands of logical analysis.
The case that the author makes is seriously to challenge the tenets of Calvinism, especially, but not exclusively, the TULIP variety. This theological tradition,although it bears the name of its French proponent, goes back to Augustine (354AD-430AD).
The challenge to Calvinism in this book is wide-ranging and unrelenting but always gracious when tackling its modern adherents, eg RC Sproul, John Piper, John MacArthur, Lorraine Boettner, DA Carson as well as the not so modern, Martin Luther.
The author splits the book into five sections, twenty chapters. Firstly defining the problem of freedom, its nature and limitations, looking particularly at the question of determinism (is freedom real, imagined or limited ?) The theology of determinism is explored more deeply in section 2.
In part 3 determinism in relation to the Christian gospel is opened up with reference to human moral responsibility. In part 4 , John Lennox gives a detailed analysis of Romans 9-11 in which Paul treats of the place of Israel in God’s purposes, a prominent factor in theological determinism. Questions about God ‘hardening the heart’ of Pharaoh are included here.
The fifth and final section is given over to the question of assurance for the believer in relation to determinism, ie if we have no choice about belief, what assurance do we need ?.
Prof Lennox writes that the book is ‘written mainly for Christians who are interested in or even troubled by questions about God’s sovereignty and human freedom and responsibility.’
To stimulate more thought, reflection and discussion, the book finishes helpfully with a series of relevant questions.
Even if you find yourself wholeheartedly agreeing with the author as an Arminian or else unable to go along with his conclusions as a convinced Calvinist, after reading 360 pages, at the very least, you will be more enlightened about the arguments for and against theistic determinism.