EVANGELISTIC CALVINISM
Why the Doctrines of Grace are Good News
By John Benton. Banner of Truth. 31 pages. £1.00
ISBN 0 85151 929 6
This booklet by EN’s editor sets out to refute a negative view of ‘the five points’ — Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and the Perseverance of the Saints. Far from being doctrines which should embarrass those who hold them, they are ‘five beautiful diamonds from which the glories of Jesus wonderfully shine’ to attract unbelievers.
Without attempting any detailed biblical defence of these doctrines, the author summarises what they affirm and demonstrates how they fit the realities of sinful human nature and provide strong encouragements to sinners to turn to the Lord Jesus.
The booklet is addressed to Christians rather than unbelievers, but it is helpful in indicating how these great truths can and should be preached evangelistically. It may be especially helpful to Christians who have only recently encountered them and are struggling with some of their implications. But it will also be a spur and encouragement to those who have believed them for years!
Inevitably some readers may wish that John Benton had elaborated one or another aspect than the brevity of the treatment has allowed. I was surprised he didn’t give greater explicit emphasis (though it is there implicitly) to the huge encouragement to evangelism these doctrines provide. For that you might search second hand bookshops for a copy of Dr. Packer’s Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.
Peter Seccombe,
retired pastor now involved in itinerant ministry from a base in Herefordshire
