Humble Calvinism

This is a fantastic read. A winsome and gracious introduction to Calvinism and the doctrines of grace with a major emphasis on humility and application of the rich doctrines! Highly recommended for calvinists and skeptics of Calvinism.

I read this book knowing very little about Calvinism but had read other writings by J A Medders and found his writings to be quite insightful.I greatly enjoyed this book and learned about Calvinism but more so appreciated the nuggets of clarity throughout the writings.I highlighted quite a bit and intend to revisit those highlights.

Humble Calvinism is the latest book by pastor, podcaster, and author J. A. Medders. I follow the book’s publisher, The Good Book Company, on Facebook which is how I initially learned of this title. The book’s title, brilliant cover design, and subtitle intrigued me. I found it interesting that there was someone else out there who also affirms the 5 points of Calvinism but is turned off by how Calvinists often convey their convictions. I purchased Humble Calvinism last summer and my copy just recently made it to the top of my To Be Read pile. My husband informed me that he needed to read it for a theology class he’s taking through our church so I decided to quickly read it before passing it along to him and I’m so glad I did!Humble Calvinism begins with an imagined scenario in which some Christians have just arrived in heaven and are receiving a tour of it but must walk silently past one room. The new arrivals are told in a whisper that the room contains Calvinists who are unaware that believers of different convictions are also there. This was a really neat beginning to the book and a helpful illustration in highlighting that Christ, not Calvinism, is a believer’s means for salvation. Medders continues the intro by explaining that he wrote the book to demonstrate that the beauty of the truths of Scripture ought to compel us to love and serve others for God’s glory. As Christians, of all people, we should treat others the way we’ve been treated in Christ.I appreciate that Humble Calvinism highlights the irony of holding to certain aspects of theology while sharing about them in an ungodly manner. While I do hold to the five points of Calvinism, I’ve refused to identify myself as a Calvinist (and probably still will), but this book gives me great hope.Medders gives practical principles on how to treat brothers and sisters who believe differently. He even mentioned not making fun of them which is a disheartening but necessary reminder.I am deeply grateful for the way in which Medders encourages readers to study Scripture for themselves and arrive at their own conclusions. In the chapter on Limited (what he refers to as Definite) Atonement, he wrote, “. . . I don’t think you should believe in Definite Atonement simply because it’s the logical outworking of predestination. Don’t believe something simply because it makes sense. You should believe it if you see it in the Scriptures. Don’t take a Calvinist’s word for it,” (pg. 100).In the same chapter, he also made an excellent point regarding the Biblical notion of maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). On this, he wrote, “Believing in the definite nature of the atonement means we should have a definite love for the unity of all of Christ’s people. Christ’s people are Christ’s people, whether they sign off on Definite Atonement or not. Definite Atonement expands the borders of our love toward all of Christ’s redeemed sheep. Jesus unites us,” (pg. 113).Throughout the book, Medders takes the time to highlight each of the five points in a way that is simple, biblical, and compelling. While there are many great theology books available, they are often composed in a tone that is strictly academic which inadvertently excludes many readers. Humble Calvinism makes theology accessible and appealing. Medders used a few personal anecdotes throughout the book and I often found myself laughing out loud upon reading them. What a great reminder that we as Christians ought to be the happiest of people.One of the concluding ideas in the book is that “Calvinism is a pile of coal mined from the depths of doctrine, that sets a fire blazing in our hearts that drives us down the track toward godliness. True Calvinism helps us love God with all our minds and hearts, and love our neighbors as ourselves. If your Calvinism doesn’t do that, then check the coal; you might have a bad batch,” (pg. 157).Humble Calvinism is a delightful and compelling read and I am pleased to give it my highest recommendation.

This is the only book I would recommend to my people (new christians in a church plant) to read on the topic if they had a choice to read only one book on the doctrines of grace. Its short, extremely practical, humble, and free of abstract principals or big words as most reformed books are ( And I'm a reformed pastor who loves that stuff ). Highly recommend for the average person. It is also very loving and not condescending towards non-calvinist. Highly recommend.

“We don’t need less Calvinism,” Medder’s writes early in the book, “we need more real Calvinism” (p. 27). I agree. Calvinism, which holds to a high view of God’s sovereignty, especially in salvation, ought to produce the most humble of Christians. You can’t rightly claim you were a wretch when God did everything necessary to save you while simultaneously having a boastful smirk and a cocky swagger. It sometimes does happen, but it shouldn’t happen. In fact, I’m sure several people reading this post have been hurt by Christians who espoused Calvinism but did so with such arrogance that you’ve been turned off the topic ever since. “Many of us who claim to love the ‘doctrines of grace,’” Medders writes, “have not grown in showing grace. We have not become more gracious, kind, tender, and compassionate. And that can only mean one thing: we actually don’t know the doctrines of grace” (p. 17).But others reading this review might be thinking, “Wait—I don’t really know what Calvinism is. Neither do I know the ‘five points’ mentioned in the subtitle.” To this, I’ll say that Medders does of faithful job of bringing readers up to speed. After the introduction there is a short section that covers historical background and definition of terms. In the rest of the book, Medders unpacks each of the five points of Calvinism (often identified by the acronym TULIP) and how each point should produce meek not malicious Christians.As someone who has read a number of books on this topic, let me also say how enjoyable Medders made his book, which is not easy to do when explaining theology; his sentences snap, crackle, and pop. For example, he writes of those who wield their Calvinism like a lead pipe; getting his first whiff of TULIP; making theological taxidermy a hobby; and predestination as the prequel of our faith in Christ (pp. 19, 43, 45, and 77).Humble Calvinism is a helpful book for those trying for the first time to understand the Calvinistic view of God’s sovereignty in salvation. And it’s also a convicting book for pastors like me who need to be reminded that if our understanding of Calvinism—or any other doctrine—produces in us arrogance, then we haven’t learned the doctrine as we ought.