Calvinism: None Dare Call It Heresy

by Bob Kirkland D.D.

Spotlight on the life and teachings of John Calvin.

Genres: Theology

128 pages, Paperback

Published March 30, 2018

Reviews

[Mark Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great first book on Calvinism. I wish the author had explained Romans chapter; 9,10 and 11. The god of Calvinism is contrary to common sense and all of the Bible.

[Patti Holub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot emphasize enough what reading this boo has done for me. Exposure to the doctrine of Calvinism was destroying me. It was so contrary to all I had been taught about God. My heart rejected it completely, yet I was expected to believe it because it was “biblical.” I have what is known as religious OCD or scrupulosity which is very painful and when I encountered Calvinist theology, my condition worsened until I felt like I was going crazy with fear.

Finding out just who and what John Calvin was, and that his theology is not only not biblical but is a false gospel has restored my faith which fear was destroying.

Thank you Bob Kirkland !

[Antonio Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spot on, amazingly easy to understand

Dr. Kirkland, laid out the Calvinist premise, compared it to Gods Word, then arrived at a biblical doctrinal conclusion. The most telling was John 6:19, RC Sprouls main scripture used to condemn evangelicals inviting sinners to repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, with John 12:32, “And if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” Sad RC Sprouls passed and never being spiritually aware of John 12:32. In truth, pride keeps Calvinist from admitting the obvious. What’s the obvious. Preaching heresy and calling it the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

[Katie Northcott · Rating 3 out of 5]

For what it is, I think it was good. However, I think a lot of the scholarship I’ve seen arguing against Calvinism takes a tone that Calvinism is clearly wrong and so lacks nuance on why many Bible-believing Christians do hold to Calvinism. This book takes that tone. However, I recognize the book was designed to be short, and the author didn’t have time to steel man Calvinism, only to sum up his objections to it. It doesn’t seem to be aimed at people who are dug in on their Calvinistic views.

I would not recommend anyone give this book to someone who is a strong Calvinist if you are trying to convince that person to abandon Calvinism. However, if you have a friend who already has doubts about the Calvinistic view of salvation, this book would likely push them towards abandoning Calvinism.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not intended to be an exhaustive refutation of Calvinism. It would almost be impossible to address every shade of Calvinism in one volume. Kirkland addresses the main errors of Calvinism, briefly, succinctly, and in my opinion very well. I do think the author is a bit "snarky" in a few areas, but does a good job of explaining the errors of Calvinism in simple, plain language. He says things in the book that I have been teaching for years. His use of Scripture and direct quotes from Calvinists add creditability to the book. This is an excellent book for those who are not familiar with Calvinism and want a basic understanding of the system. I will be recommending it to others.

[Adam Hall · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is certainly not worth the paper it is written on. The paper would have been better used for toilet paper.
I only read this book because someone foolishly bought it for me to read.
I have never read a book with such intellectual dishonesty. Bob takes not only the Calvinistic authors out of context but also the scriptures.
He makes foolish conclusions from his false assumptions.
What makes me most sad is that Fairhavens Baptist Church is under his care.
Don't waste your time like I did. Do not read this book.

[Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, succinct book that lays out the basics of Calvinism, including information about John Calvin and where he got his theology, along with a critique of Calvinist doctrine. I really appreciated that he footnoted the book well. I also appreciated the way he just plainly quoted scripture to answer Calvinist doctrine. This book is a good introduction to the topic.

It did have some typographical errors sprinkled throughout the book.

4 1/2 stars

[Fit For Faith 〣 Your Christian Ministry. · Rating 5 out of 5]

PROS

+ Excellent discernment.

+ The author is very bold in words, without insulting or being condescending (only 2 times he touched the limit).

+ He did rather not focus on extra-biblical resources and intellectual discussions, but looked at the essentials of the Christian faith, at the Bible itself. It was with great joy to see him writing a compact book which rather focussed on Bible verses, than trying to win the most elaborate theological battle through hundreds of pages. This is our weapon, the Word of THEOS. If anyone is not convinced by Scripture, he will not be convinced by excessive eloquence.

+ Many Bible passages he systematically organized:

ALL MEANS ALL (Jos 6:3, Psa 31:23, Psa 31:24, Psa 32:11, Psa 134:1, Luk 13:27, Rom 5:12, Gal 3:8, Rev 19:5)

G-D COMMANDS MAN TO WALK IN HIS WAYS, BUT HE FORCES NO ONE (Isa 30:21, Psa 81:12)

G-D FORCES NOBODY TO BELIEVE (Psa 106:24, Joh 6:64, Joh 10:25, Joh 2:37, Act 9:26, Act 17:5, Act 19:9, 2Thes 2:12, Heb 11:31, Jud 1:5, Act 28:24)

G-D FORCES NOBODY TO SUBMIT (Exo 6:9, Exo 16:20, 1Sam 2:25, 2Kin 21:9, Jer 7:24, Jer 7:26, Jer 36:31)

G-D FORCES NOBODY TO TRUST HIM (Psa 78:22, Isa 47:10, Jer 13:25, Jer 48:7, Jer 49:4)

MAN IS COMMANDED TO 'REASON' ABOUT SALVATION (Mat 16:7, Mat 21:25, Mar 2:8, Mar 8:16, Mar 11:31, Luk 20:5, Luk 20:14, Act 18:4, Act 24:25, Act 28:29)

MAN IS COMMANDED TO SUBMIT (1Cor 16:16, Eph 5:22, Col 3:18, Heb 13:17, Jam 4:7, 1Pet 2:13, 1Pet 5:5)

CONS

- He did (possibly intentionally) not include Augustine's background of Gnosticism (Manichaeism), which would have been fundamental in explaining his doctrines.

From my discernment section: "Augustine a Manichaean, an outmost evil sect (2 g-ds, one good, one evil), known back then as the pinnacle of Gnosticism. Later he became a Platonist. Augustine 'converted' after 9-10 years to Christianity, but only under enormous pressure, precisely after the Roman emperor Theodosius had issued a decree of death for all Manichaean monks and shortly before he declared Christianity to be the only legitimate religion for the Roman Empire. Augustine seemed for some years to have proper theology and taught 'Free Will', but later inched back into Gnosticism where he borrowed his ideas of the 'elect' from Manichaeism (where he had never made it to be an 'elect', but a 'hearer' only) ..."

- He did not differentiate between Works of Faith and Works of the Law. A Present Salvation can hardly occur without Works of Faith, but a Past Salvation does involve neither. He also sounds between the lines as to rather support Once-Saved-Always-Saved than the possibility of shipwrecking someone's salvation. We have assurance of salvation only if we stay in the faith. Here the book would have benefitted of a better balance and not to be driven by the opposition to Calvinism. We have to persevere, but perseverance is not automatic as Calvinists claim. This is the important difference.

QUOTES FROM THE BOOK

"Actually, the fact that G-d gave man free will is greater proof of G-d's sovereignty than if G-d made only robot-like people. Though G-d knew that free will would enable man to choose to reject Him, it would also bring Him pleasure in having created beings who freely respond to His love with a love for Him that is not programmed or forced but is truly heart-felt in each individual."

"Regarding salvation, Augustine said "... The Catholic Church alone is the body of Christ. … Outside this body, the Holy Spirit giveth life to no one". This is the man of whom John Calvin based his understanding of the Bible. According to Augustine, anyone outside the Catholic church is going to Hell. Did Calvin not realize that would have to include him?"

"It puzzles me immensely why anyone would think that G-d would use such a man as Calvin to be a great leader of Christianity? In 1 Cor 11:1, Paul said, "Be ye followers (imitators) of me, even as I also am of Christ." Was John Calvin an imitator of Christ in his actions? I see no answer to that question but a resounding, "Not at all!""

[Allen Bagby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but substantial critique of the false doctrine of Calvinism. I've been reading a lot about it, writing about it too on my Substack which uploads to my author's page on Goodreads.