Going Beyond the Five Points: Pursuing a More Comprehensive Reformation

“Some truths lie close to the surface, others require more digging. In the substance of this book, you will profit from the groundbreaking labours of others, men who have begun to turn over the soil in order to expose the consequences and applications of a thorough embrace of God's sovereign grace displayed in the salvation of his people, considered not just individually but together. Readers willing to put in the effort will find much to ponder and much from which to profit.”

“Going Beyond the Five Points is a wonderful pastoral resource to give to any brother or sister in Christ who has begun the journey of better understanding the doctrines of grace. If the Five Points are the appetizer for the hungry believer, these essays will provide a rich and satisfying main course to guide them in a deeper understanding of the truth.”

“The rediscovery of 'the doctrines of grace' among Baptists during the last sixty years has thrilled my heart! However, this welcome advance does not make a reformation. The further necessary questions of 'what is the church?' 'how should we worship God?' 'what is Christ like living?' stand before us still, begging for biblical reformation. 'Going Beyond the Five Points' provides clear biblical direction for reforming churches today. Barcellos' defense of the Ten Commandments for Christian living under grace is unassailable. Blackburn's chapters on Covenant Theology and the doctrine of the church are indispensable to Baptist reformation. Waldron's explanation of the Regulative Principle is greatly needed by Baptists to remind us of our foundational principle which needs renewed application to worship and government. Martin's persuasive defense of why Baptists need confessions of faith today is irrefutable. To gather them together as Ventura has done provides a classic standard for further Baptist reformation today. Baptist pastors, students, and church members need to study this book to understand what it means to build biblical and Reformed Baptist churches today for the glory of Christ.”

“Just when we think we have mastered the Reformed faith, along comes something that shows that we have merely started the journey. The Five Points" provide a skeleton arms, legs, torso and head, perhaps, but often (in execution) out of proportion; and without flesh, or a beating heart. There are depths and immensities, implied in the Calvinistic framework of Dordt, that require further effort to understand and assimilate if we are make any real progress. Rob Ventura has brought together a team of trusted and able writers to take us on that journey of discovery. Essential reading for those who are not content remaining in the shallows.”