| Title | : | A Defence of Calvinism |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0851519733 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780851519739 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 28 |
| Publication | : | First published February 1, 2010 |
A Defence of Calvinism Reviews
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This book isn't so much a proper defense of Calvinism as it is Spurgeon's own reflections on why Calvinism in his opinion is true. Spurgeon goes back to the Word and back to history to show the progression of the doctrines of grace, and laments how the tides had shifted against the traditional reformed position. If anyone knows the Spurgeon's biography, you'll know he ended up having to defend Calvinism which caused terrible rifts even within his family. A great short treatise that is definitely worth the read.
Brent McCulley -
"Well can I remember the manner in which I learned the doctrines of grace in a single instant. Born, as all of us are by nature, an Arminian, I still believed the old things I had heard continually from the pulpit, and did not see the grace of God. When I was coming to Christ, I thought I was doing it all myself, and though I sought the Lord earnestly, I had no idea the Lord was seeking me. I do not think the young convert is at first aware of this. I can recall the very day and hour when first I received those truths in my own soul—when they were, as John Bunyan says, burnt into my heart as with a hot iron, and I can recollect how I felt that I had grown on a sudden from a babe into a man—that I had made progress in Scriptural knowledge, through having found, once for all, the clue to the truth of God. One week-night, when I was sitting in the house of God, I was not thinking much about the preacher's sermon, for I did not believe it. The thought struck me, How did you come to be a Christian? I sought the Lord. But how did you come to seek the Lord? The truth flashed across my mind in a moment—I should not have sought Him unless there had been some previous influence in my mind to make me seek Him. I prayed, thought I, but then I asked myself, How came I to pray? I was induced to pray by reading the Scriptures. How came I to read the Scriptures? I did read them, but what led me to do so? Then, in a moment, I saw that God was at the bottom of it all, and that He was the Author of my faith, and so the whole doctrine of grace opened up to me, and from that doctrine I have not departed to this day, and I desire to make this my constant confession, "I ascribe my change wholly to God.""
C. H. Spurgeon -
If you wanna light a fire in your bones and preach with your hair on fire, read this and get lit. 🔥🔥🔥
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Short piece on the doctrines of grace.
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I love how this book begins with Spurgeon making the point that it is important to be grounded with right doctrines and the right Gospel early on as a Christian. He even have a great illustration of this: “If a tree has to be taken up two or three times a year, you will not need to build a very large loft in which to store the apples.” With such an opening my interests for this booklet was perked.
Technically this booklet wasn’t necessarily a point by point proof of the five point of Calvinism, often called “TULIP.” It is really more of a general defense of God’s sovereignty in salvation. Of course since Spurgeon is a Calvinist this booklet definitely touches on the points of Calvinism even if it isn’t as systematic as other defense of Calvinism might be. Spurgeon shares his thought on “free will” in light of his own observation of the depravity in his own heart and also the doctrine of Total Depravity. The bulk of the book makes observation and arguments from Christian understanding of salvation in general and how it makes sense from a high view of God’s Sovereignty. Spurgeon also deals with the objection that the doctrine of Sovereign Grace leads to an excuse of living a life of habitual sins. Edifying read. -
A strong introduction to what's called Calvinism. Helpful read, regardless of where you fall on the subject.
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Ah, The Prince of Preachers ❤️
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The Calvinism verses Armenian debate is one that has been waged for quite awhile and seems to be heating up lately. For the record, I lean towards Calvinism in my theology. If you are unfamiliar with the term, the five points of Calvinism can be summed up with the acronym TULIP:
T: Total Depravity of Mankind – Sin has infected man to his very core. Our hearts, minds, and bodies are all affected by the disease of sin. Because of this, no effort of our own will can achieve salvation.
U: Unconditional Election – God elects the saved through an act of His own gracious will. Some are elected while some are not.
L: Limited Atonement – Jesus died for the elect. While His sacrifice was sufficient for all, it is not efficacious for all.
I: Irresistible Grace – Those who are elected by God are unable to resist His calling.
P: Perseverance of the Saints – Because election is an act of God, those who are so called are eternally secure in their salvation. Once saved, they are always saved.
As I mentioned earlier, I lean towards Calvinism. This isn’t to suggest that I am entirely comfortable with the manner in which it is often expressed. For instance, while the concept of Unconditional Election may be true, I don’t feel the discourse that surrounds it is always beneficial. I also have trouble with the concept of Limited Atonement as defined by Spurgeon. The Bible teaches that while it is easy to love those who love you in return, it is more rewarding to love those who are your enemies (Read Luke, Chapter 6). It is for this reason that I reject the notion that Christ only died for the elect. The notion that Christ only died for those who would ultimately love Him seems to suggest that He acted in a particularly “un-Christ-like” fashion. I’m not suggesting that His sacrifice achieved salvation for everyone, but merely suggesting that His sacrifice affords everyone the opportunity of salvation. That Christ died for everyone is the beauty of the Gospel. It is for this reason that I often say I believe in Unlimited Limited Atonement (a phrase borrowed from Mark Driscoll). Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient for all, but not efficacious for all.
Spurgeon vehemently disagrees with me. In this short essay, he makes an impassioned plea for Calvinism and argues that “to think [Christ] died for men who were or are in hell, seems a supposition too horrible for me to entertain.”
In my opinion, my quibble with Spurgeon seems to be one that is mostly semantic. Spurgeon, however, seems to find it a critical point of contention, “That Christ should offer an atonement and satisfaction for the sins of all men, and that afterwards some of those men should be punished for the sins for which Christ had already atoned, appears to me to be the most monstrous iniquity that could ever have been imputed to Saturn, to Janus, to the goddess of the Thugs, or to the most diabolical heathen deities.”
Certainly, Spurgeon and I would both agree there is a hell and that some will unfortunately spend eternity in it. Likewise we would agree that the elect have a responsibility to respond to that irresistible call of God. Where we deviate from one another is in my suggestion that Christ loves humanity enough to die for everyone – even those who choose to ultimately reject Him. It is because of this conviction that I can look any person in the eye and tell them that Christ died for them.
Spurgeon’s essay is beneficial for those who are struggling to define their own doctrinal beliefs. It can easily be read in one sitting and is available on the Kindle for less than a dollar. -
A short work that gives the reader a good introductory overview of the major tenets of Calvinism. Though it is called a defense of Calvinism, this work does not offer a strong Scriptural defense for Calvinism. Rather it presents Spurgeon's reflections on Calvinism with his personal assessment of why they must be so.
Spurgeon concludes with a very high view of this theological system:
"I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else." -
I don't really think the title truly describes what this booklet is about. It is actually a great primer of an EXPLANATION of Calvinism. If the structure was truly defensive in nature it would have more of the arguments against Calvinism and the rebuttals. This would actually be a good short recommendation for those that are in the beginning stages of struggling with this doctrine.
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Beautifully written as only Spurgeon can and a good read no matter what your theological beliefs. But I will say, this is a beautiful description of the doctrines of grace and very expository on the topic as Sprugeon so often did. He just straight lays out the gospel in such a way that I don't see how someone could read this and not see gospel in every way!
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This was a very thought provoking read for me. I found many statements that I either disagreed with strongly or mildly, or agreed with to both of these degrees. I will certainly continue testing these teachings against God's Word.
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The man had a golden tongure and it came thru his writings!
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Very good little booklet on what is called Calvinism by one of America's greatest preachers. Very basic.
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It was a thought-provoking read, but it's not so much what it says on the tin. It's more descriptive than a proper apologia. I'd recommend it as a brief introduction to Calvinism.
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Make me think about predestination in a new light. I am still not fully convinced on it, but the book brought up several good points.
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Me gustó muchisimo.
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Not going to lie, I had a hard time getting through this one. The number one thing I learned? I am SO not a Calvinist.
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Charles Spurgeon lays out and defends, through Scripture, the wonderful doctrines of God's grace in this little booklet.
"I cannot understand the reason why I am saved, except upon the ground that God would have it so".
"I believe the doctrine of election, because I'm quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen him; and I am sure he chose me before I was born, or else he never would have chosen me afterwards; and he must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why he should have looked upon me with special love."
"If anyone should ask me what I mean by a Calvinist, I should reply, 'He is one who says, salvation is of the Lord.' I cannot find in Scripture any other doctrine than this."
"I believe there will be more in heaven than in hell. If anyone asks me why I think so, I answer, because Christ, in everything, is to 'have the pre-eminence', and I cannot conceive how he could have the pre-eminence if there are to be more in the dominions of Satan than in paradise."
"Of all men, those have the most disinterested piety, the sublimest reverence, the most ardent devotion, who believe that they are saved by grace, without works, through faith, and that not of themselves, it is the gift of God." -
Es un excelente pequeño libro, lleno de la humildad y carácter que manejaba el hermano Charles Hadden Spurgeon, exaltando la gracia, soberanía del Señor. Dejando muy en claro que era calvinista y que era partidario de las enseñanzas de Calvino, pero esa no era la forma como quisiera que se refirieran a el, sino como Cristiano.
Hay una frase que me gusto mucho “El calvinismo no es otra cosa que el evangelio. No creo que pudiéramos predicar el evangelio si no predicamos la justificación por la fe, sin obras; ni a menos que prediquemos la soberanía de Dios en Su dispensación de Gracia, ni a menos que exaltemos el amor que elige y que no se puede cambiar, eterno, inmutable y conquistador del Señor.” -
this defense of Calvinism (the doctrines of grace) was adapted from a larger work of Spurgeon. It is an okay defense, but there are many others out there that are much better and more readable: Pink, Calvin, MacArthur, Sproul, et al.
there was one section I found surprising: he said that he believes there will be far more in heaven than in hell. I do not agree. I also do not understand how he reconciles that with Scripture which repeatedly says that many are on the broad path to hell and few find the narrow gate of salvation. -
I admire and respect Spurgeon in many ways. Even though I am not a Calvinist, I thought I would learn something from him in this. I was very disappointed that this was merely a sermon that was more of a personal testimony as to why he is a Calvinist. He didn't "defend" Calvinism with any Scripture, just a few anecdotal arguments, mostly straw men that appears to be a misunderstanding on his part as to what Classical Arminianism actually is. In fact, most of what he holds to is not in any way contradictory to what was put forth in the Remonstrance.
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Spurgeon was a man that marveled at Gods glory. He knew that the scriptures provided the answers that he was searching for. Nobody brings it like Spurgeon. His defense (more of a statement of understanding) of Calvinism is clear and concise. He is able to attach logic to spiritual understanding and wisdom in this quick article. Definitely worth the read.
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En esta entrega Spurgeon desglosa su visión sobre la doctrina de la gracia de Dios hacia la humanidad. Cuestiona los planteamientos arminianos y los confronta frente a la verdad bíblica y soberanía de Dios.
Resalta que aunque difiere con ciertos exponentes contrarios a sus pensamientos, reconoce que Dios obra en sus vidas y son sus hijos al igual que el mismo Spurgeon. -
Good Read
Spurgeon in tells it like it is. He gives a great overview of Calvinism. Each of the five points is not explained separately, but as a whole.
I do disagree with Spurgeon on one issue. I believe there will be many more would in Hell than in Heaven.
