Living for God's Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism

Contributors: Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson, Dr. James M Grier, Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin, Dr. Nelson D. Kloosterman, Rev. Ray b. Lanning, Dr. Robert W. Oliver, Ray Pennings, and Dr. Derek W. H. Thomas

Publisher's Description

The theological system known as Calvinism is often caricatured as harsh, dour, and illogical. But as Dr. Joel R. Beeke argues in this important new book, this image could not be further from the truth. Beeke, a pastor, educator, editor, and prolific author, shows instead that Calvinism is a theology that is firmly rooted in Scripture and works its way out into every area of the believer's life. He aims to "cover the intellectual and spiritual emphases of Calvinism, the way it influences the church and everyday living, and its ethical and cultural implications."

In this comprehensive survey of Reformed Christianity, Dr. Beeke and eight fellow contributors offer twentyeight chapters that trace the history of Calvinism; explore its key doctrinal tenets, such as the so-called five points of Calvinism and the solas of the Protestant Reformation; reveal how Calvinists have sought to live in devotion to God; and survey Calvinism's influence in the church and in the world at large. In the end, the book asserts that the overriding goal of Calvinism is the glory of God. Saturated with Scripture citations and sprinkled with quotations from wise giants of church history, this book presents Calvinism in a winsome and wondrous fashion.

About the Editor: Dr. Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation, editor of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society, all in Grand Rapids, Mich. He has written, coauthored, or edited fifty books (most recently, Meet the Puritans, Reformation Heroes, Walking as He Walked, and Striving Against Satan) and contributed fifteen hundred articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. is in Reformation and post-Reformation theology from Westminster Theological Seminary. He is frequently called on to lecture at seminaries and to speak at Reformed conferences around the world. He and his wife, Mary, have been blessed with three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.

About the Contributors:

Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson is senior minister of the First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, S.C., and distinguished visiting professor of systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary.

Dr. James M. Grier is the distinguished professor of philosophical theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, where he served for sixteen years as academic dean and vice president. Previously he served as associate professor of philosophy at Cedarville University. He is an adjunct professor at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Asia Baptist Theological Seminary, and London Reformed Baptist Seminary.

Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin is professor of church history and biblical spirituality at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., as well as the director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, based at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Nelson D. Kloosterman is a minister of the gospel among the United Reformed Churches in North America, professor of ethics and New Testament studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Ind., coeditor of the Mid-America Journal of Theology, and secretary of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society.

Rev. Ray B. Lanning is minister of First Reformed Presbyterian Church, Grand Rapids, Mich., and an instructor in homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.

Dr. Robert W. Oliver is a Reformed Baptist pastor who served the Old Baptist Chapel, Bradford on Avon, U.K., for thirty-five years. He is currently a lecturer in church history and historical theology at the London Theological Seminary and at the John Owen Centre for Theological Studies.

Ray Pennings is the vice president of research for the Work Research Foundation (www.wrf.ca), a Canadian think tank dedicated to cultural renewal. He serves as a teaching elder in the Free Reformed congregation of Calgary, Alberta, and is chairman of the board of governors of Redeemer University College. He is a regular public affairs commentator in the Canadian media and has authored numerous monographs and articles in both the public and church press.

Dr. Derek W. H. Thomas is a professor of systematic and practical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Miss., an adjunct professor at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, the minister of teaching at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, and the editorial director of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.