The Arminian verses Calvinism debate, around and around it goes but when it ends we actually do know, when Jesus comes back.  I'm personally fascinated with reformed theology and have thoroughly enjoyed numerous reformed theologians and their encouraging resources.  However, discussions on biblical truth can often be (perhaps inevitably) met with intense hostility, especially with brothers and sisters in the faith.  How are we going to deal with these situations when they happen?  Can we do anything to prevent them?

     Last Sunday while preaching the conclusion of chapter 6 in John's gospel I was reminded of how followers of Jesus can turn their backs on the words of Christ when they don't like what they hear.  Unfortunately, my pride swells a little when I read that passage as if to say to myself, "Yeah that's right, I'm teaching the sovereignty of God the way Jesus taught it!  If you don't like it then there's the door suckuh!"  With that said, I wonder how many followers have rejected biblical truth not so much because of what the Bible teaches but because of my arrogant delivery of hard truths.  I'm confident I've been a hindrance to some people's pursuit of truth as much as I've been a help to others, and only by the grace of God have I ever been a help.

     Today I finished a great read that was a really helpful tool in discerning how I convey theological structure to others.  The title of the book is "Killing Calvinism, How to destroy a perfectly good theology from the inside." 

     Arminian friends, (you know who you are! haha!) I think you would really enjoy this read as well.  You'd especially enjoy the appropriate spankings this reformed fellow gives to those who embrace Calvinism.  Simultaneously you can brush up on what you understand about this shorthand explanation to the gospel.  If we're going to disagree with each other then it's at least good to know why, right?

     Calvinist friends, (quick high-five... I jest) I'd definitely recommend you pick this up and read it.  The quick reminders thought out in this book will most likely leave you with a couple black-eyes and if so then you deserved it.  May we continually repent of and ask God for help when it comes to our pride.

     Believers who have no clue what Calvinism is but you think it could possibly be a bad word when it comes to theology, this book could also serve as a quick introduction into what Calvinism is.  Perhaps what is most appealing to me about this book is it's way of defining what Calvinism is NOT, considering the unfair/uneducated stereotypes that surround this way of thinking. 

In the authors words, Here are 8 ways that you can destroy a perfectly good theology:

 - By loving Calvinism as an end in itself
 - By becoming a theologian instead of a disciple
 - By loving God’s sovereignty more than God himself
 - By losing an urgency in evangelism
 - By learning only from other Calvinists
 - By tidying up the Bible’s “loose ends”
 - By being an arrogant know-it-all
 - By scoffing at the hang-ups others have with Calvinism

     One of my favorite lines from the book:  "Evangelical Christianity has a love affair with syrupy cliches, self-help style sound bites, and pep-talk pragmatism.  We desperately need more Christians who know how to think along clear, biblical lines.  But we cross a line when we are more focused on mastering theology than on being mastered by Christ."

     I pray that this read blesses you as it did myself.  I also pray that I'm known first and foremost as a passionate follower of Jesus rather than by a structure of theology. 

Cody Parman