Killing Calvinism: How to Destroy a Perfectly Good Theology from the Inside

Has a few okay points, but the Calvinism that the author is describing isn t really Calvinism at all It seems like the author believes that reformed theology is merely a system of human invention that can possibly be destroyed His brand of Calvinism equals adherence to the TULIP acronym not Calvin s invention minus covenant theology, which adds up to an incomplete dead end theology Maybe this is the root of the problem since the book is by a baptist and his premier examples of Calvinists are all [...]

Good book I agree with what Dutcher had to say, and he says it well I think I m mostly out of the Cage stage, hopefully, so the application may be a little less necessary now than it was then But, some good reminders Mostly that Christianity, and Calvinism included as it is according to Spurgeon just a name for the proper understanding of the Gospel, produces love, humility, and a desire to spread the glory of God and salvation to man kind.

Killing Calvinism How to destroy a perfectly good theology from the inside out I am a new Young, Restless and Reformed person, just beginning to love studying Postmillenialism and Amillenialism, and to work out Calvinism in my mind as I seek what is true I needed to read this book NOW Early in my Reformed journey I needed it NOW because of all the times it poked me with truth I may be new in Calvinism, but I am a sinner and that is who this book is for This book is for sinners who have been save [...]

Pretty new to Calvinsim myself, I appreciate the clarifications of what Calvinism is the sovereignity of God in Salvation and the pit falls of the lens of Calvinism I have read one other book of Dutcher and I appreciate his candor and his reflection of his own short comings We can learn from them Whatever label you put yourself under What attracts me to Calvin lens, is God s sovereignity but also has Dutcher has pointed out that doctrine truth that comes from God, leads to God, and the promotion [...]

This is a wonderful little book that I recommend to anyone who considers themselves a Calvinist or is interested in Calvinism Calvinism is a wonderful theology when placed within the larger context of Scripture, however, those of us who consider ourselves Calvinists have a tendency of allowing it to play out in our lives in unappealing ways Dutcher manages to expertly expose and examine the mistakes Calvinists often make Contemporary Calvinists would do well to read Dutcher s book and to avoid t [...]

This is definitely less a book on Calvinism and a book on the flaws of many self proclaimed Calvinists Overall, Dutcher does a great job showing how many early Calvinists begin arrogance, out to prove election, etc I saw many examples that portrayed me not too many years ago and several others showed areas where I still struggle If you think you have crossed the line, I recommend reading this short book.

Overall I was encouraged and admonished by what I read in Killing Calvinism We reformed folk need this kind of prodding Honestly, all Christians every where need books like this The idea would make a compelling series Killing Arminianism, Killing the Gifts, etc Just a thought Cruciform No patent pending.I found an insider s critique refreshing Dutcher is one of us I found his admonition fatherly Almost like Solomon giving his son final instructions For instance, Dutcher admonishes, I sometimes f [...]

Good read for those of us who are prideful Calvinists When we refuse to let our theology dictate Scripture, we are free to live with large doses of paradox We are not afraid of passages that emphasize the need for good works We do not feel awkward about verses that call on everyone to make a choice and take a stand for the Lord Instead, we are free to put all of our hope in our sovereign God while striving to follow everything he has commanded us to do and be page 74 Christ intends that we would [...]

A short book that should be read by anyone who loves the doctrines of grace, particularly any who have recently come to an appreciation of God s sovereignty over all things including salvation.

An absolute must read for those within and without the YRR movement and those who study the subject of Calvinism.

I think it would be the wisest course of action for every Calvinist to pick up this book before they make any mistakes this very book shows are natural for new Calvinist.It would not surprise me if they did not, but this book is a gem Dutcher shows his humility did not come out of a false piety, but out of multiple humbling experiences that made him rethink what he was doing with his theology.Calvinism should be the windshield by which we view the world, as one of the early chapters mention rath [...]

This book is challenging and convicting About half way through it I was a bit skeptical, as I thought, Surely the author is overgeneralizing Calvinists in some of his points he is trying to make Not all Calvinists do or think like this But by the end of the book, I realized that this thinking actually proved his point There are a few examples he gives that seem pretty extreme, but overall there is so much good stuff in here This book is very humbling, and I highly recommend it Actually, it would [...]

I am not a Calvinist, but I am one who has been hurt by those in the reformed camp I thought this book might help clear away any misconceptions I may have, and help me see the doctrines of grace in a new light.I still have some serious difficulties with this way of thinking, but I am glad to see a brother in christ tackle some of the issues within Calvinism from the inside A much needed, and well written book.

Basically a book on how a Calvinist can be a Calvinist without being a tool Good value.

This isn t really a review, it s of a brief reflection Dutcher has identified the weak underbelly of the Young, Restless, and Reformed stream of Christianity today As with all critiques of this nature, the author is speaking of the movement in general the reader will always find exceptions in his personal experience That said, you will do yourself no favors if in quibbling on this point or that you miss the overall thrust of Dutcher s theme Calvinistic theology is in danger of being controverte [...]

I thought this was a helpful critique I began this book with a bit of suspicion In many ways this book does follow the typical generic stereotypes that are prevalent in common evangelicalism Some of those are genuine and have been created by problems of misunderstanding the heart of the theology of Calvinism The worst of a movement can make a mess out of the best of a movement I think it is great to refute those, Calvinists that may display the character traits of fictitious Calvinism The best t [...]

I once heard Alistair Begg say if I recall correctly that he was careful to avoid becoming to deeply associated with the resurgence of Calvinism in the evangelical world because of his desire to be known as a preacher who is a Calvinist rather than a Calvinist preacher and partisan This book reminds those who have become Calvinists that a system of theology however biblical can easily become an idol when it displaces the Gospel as our deepest identity, causes us to become proud, leads us to aban [...]

Reading type thorough skim Disclaimers I like Tim Challies and appreciate the concept behind this book series I self identify as a Reformed Christian I think the author provided good reminders however, I wished it grounded in Scriptural foundation with exhortations toward humility It also needed developed ideas to unpack psycho social and anthropological dynamics although compare purpose of book series It read, to me, too much like a blog series of anecdotal illustrations Everything he discusse [...]

Killing Calvinism is easy to read and makes some good points But unfortunately it perpetuates the notion that TULIP is or less equivalent to Calvinism Todd Billings article, The New Calvinists, provides a much needed corrective to this view TULIP is a 20th century repackaging of a rejoinder to Arminianism it was never intended to be an articulation of Reformed Theology With this in mind, everyone who loves Reformed Theology would benefit from reading and taking on board Greg Dutcher s advice in [...]

I really enjoyed this book Let me start first by saying that I am not a Calvinist and the author definitely is What I loved though was how he was able to take a step back and look at the big picture His point was that too many people get so focused on the 5 points that they lose sight of the most important part of the picture and that is God himself I would highly recommend for the Calvinist or the non Calvinist as I think there are tremendous applicable principles not matter what side of the fe [...]

The eight points Dutcher tells in this book are great ones, but in telling them without leaning heavily on Scripture, Dutcher robs them of their true potential The reader gets a lot of anecdotes but little basis in the Word I was interested in hearing Dutcher s opinions, and I m thankful to him for sharing what he s learned and humbling himself in the process Those were great things However, in the end, they re just man s opinions, and the Word has a great deal to say about how we deal with othe [...]

This was a good, short, easy read The author offers wonderful advice for those that have came to love the Doctrines of Grace In the book Calvinism, Reformed Theology and TULIP are all used interchangeably I would assert that this popular one dimensional approach to the robust theology that is Reformed Theology is one of the most prevalent ways we are killing Calvinism today In my humble opinion a better book on how to understand Calvinism and not kill it, would be Dr Joel Beeke s book Living for [...]

This book hits the nail on the head To often when we stumble upon and embrace Biblical truth or what we are convinced is Biblical truth we can kill what we say we love This seems to be especially true of those who consider themsleves Calvinists or Reformed in their theology This book will set one straight The author covers 8 areas, all 8 are some combination of pride and or simply a lack of careful thinking Good, hard hitting, quick read.

I think that personally, Calvinism itself hasn t been a problem for me recently, though I was cage stage early on and for a little while However, knowledge gained through reading much and listening to sermons is about following Christ which I know has been the goal all along , and I ought not to be prideful or self centered in that, but use that to point others to Christ and have a right knowledge of Him and His Father will, which is in His written Word.

An arms length criticism of cage stage Calvinist behaviors While those who disagree with the premise of Calvinism being perfectly good at its roots I m not a five pointer myself will not find deep theological critiques here, this is a refreshingly self aware analysis of the pitfalls of embracing Reformed theology as an end to itself rather than as a tool to experience and understand God fully Worth a read, especially for those who are new to the faith and the Reformed approach.

Again, another easy read, like all of them by Cruciform Press Read it in one sitting Well written with some things for all to seriously think about, not just Calvinists So even non Calvinists can read it without any concerns that they will be converted to Calvinism Practical, to the point, and challenges you to look at your own attitude when it comes to defending a particular theological standpoint.

Calvinism is enjoying something of a resurgence, yet it is also becoming vilified and misrepresented as a result Steering us on these curve laden roads is Dutcher, who provides eight ways that those who hold to the doctrines of grace may be inadvertently doing damage to them Written with a dose of humor in an amicable tone, this book is less an introduction to the Calvinist beliefs and a warning against the abuse of them.

Dutcher s book is a hilarious, yet convicting and informative, read I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for any person who considers themselves Calvinist, especially those new to Calvinistic theology I found myself laughing out loud in every chapter, then having to pray through the conviction of Dutcher s words Great book and an easy read that is very beneficial.

Christians spend a lot time arguing points of theology among themselves and fail to engage the world around them with the truth of the Gospel This is true in many areas, and Greg effectively challenges those of the Reformed viewpoint not to let their view of the Atonement separate them from brethren with other perspectives.

As someone who is still relatively new to Reformed theology, this book was very helpful, mostly because I can identify a lot of what Dutcher is speaking about in those around me, and in myself as well His style of writing makes this a quick and easy read, and will be one that I revisit in the future.