This is not your standard treatise on the "five points of Calvinism" or, as these grand truths are also called, "the doctrines of grace."

There is the clear, biblical explanation of the doctrines remembered by "TULIP" that one might find elsewhere.

But this work is a consistent exposition of God's sovereignty in the gracious salvation of sinners. It does not suffer from the confusion, contradiction, and compromise that characterize many similar efforts: God elected some but wills to save all, the natural man is totally depraved but performs many good works, Christ died only for the elect but "is dead" for everyone who hears the gospel, the actual saving of sinners is by irresistible grace but must take place by a "well-meant offer" made alike to all.

Saved by Grace is a thorough exposition of the truth of salvation by grace alone. It neither ignores nor softens the especially offensive aspects of the five points: the wickedness of all the deeds of the unregenerated, the eternal reprobation of some persons, the exclusion of some from the atonement of Christ and from all its benefits, the will of God with the preaching of the gospel that it harden some who hear.

Here is a bold defense of the gospel of grace. The book answers the objections. It exposes and destroys the foes (within the sphere of professing Calvinists as well as without the camp). It flies the banner of full, consistent Calvinism with never a trace of shame.

The reason in the end is simply living knowledge of the triune God as revealed in Jesus Christ as really sovereign.

Such an exposition of the doctrines that make up the gospel is the need of our, and every other, time.

DAVID J. ENGELSMA
Protestant Reformed Seminary
Grandville, Michigan

• Foreword
• Preface
  

1. The Sovereignty of God
   A.The Doctrine
   B. Scripture Passages
   C. Objections
   D. Denials of God's Sovereignty
   E. Practical Importance
   F. Relation to the Five Points
   
   
2. Total Depravity
   A. The Doctrine
   B. Scripture Passages
   C. Difficult Passages
   D. Objections
   E. Denials of Total Depravity
   F. Practical Importance
   G. Relation to the Other Four Points
   
   
3. Unconditional Election
   A. The Doctrine
   B. Scripture Passages
   C. Difficult Passages
   D. Objections
   E. Denials of Unconditional Election
   F. Practical Implications
   G. Relation to the Other Four Points
   
   
4. Limited Atonement
   A. The Doctrine
   B. Scripture Passages
   C. Difficult Passages
   D. Objections
   E. Denials of Limited Atonement
   F. Practical Importance
   G. Relation to the Other Four Points
   
   
5. Irresistible Grace
   A. The Doctrine
   B. Scripture Passages
   C. Difficult Passages
   D. Objections
   E. Denials of Irresistible Grace
   F. Practical Importance
   G. Relation to the Other Four Points
   
   
6. Perseverance of the Saints
   A. The Name
   B. The Doctrine
   C. Scripture Passages
   D. Difficult Passages
   E. Objections
   F. Denials of Perseverance of Saints
   G. Practical Importance
   H. Relation to the Other Four Points
   
   Recommended Readings (Omitted here, but found in the back of the book, for further discussion on this site go to:
   The Five Points of Calvinism
   
   Appendix I (Citations from the Creeds)
   
   Appendix II (Index of Scriptural Passages-these are unlisted here but are found in the back of the book.)
   
   Study Guide for "Saved by Grace"

This is a book about Calvinism. Specifically it is a book about what are known as the Five Points of Calvinism, commonly referred to as the doctrines of grace.

The reader must not make the mistake of identifying Calvinism with the "Five Points." Calvinism is more than merely five points of doctrine. Calvinism is a whole system, an orderly arrangement of all the cardinal truths of the Word of God. More than that, it is a world-and-life view that concerns every area of earthly life: marriage and family, education and labor, church and society, entertainment and leisure, and much more. Nevertheless, the "Five Points" get at the heart of what Calvinism is.

Calvinism gets its name from the sixteenth century Protestant reformer John Calvin. More than any before him, Calvin developed and systematized these truths, especially in his well-known work Institutes of the Christian Religion. For this reason, although Calvinism by no means originated with Calvin, the system bears his name.

Historically the most eminent defense of Calvinism was carried on by the famed Synod of Dordrecht, 1618-1619. This synod, with representatives from Reformed churches all over the world, condemned the teaching of the Arminians, or Remonstrants, and reaffirmed the precious truths of Calvinism. Since the Arminians had expressed their doctrinal position in five key statements, the decisions of the synod were organized in a fivefold way. Thus the "Five Points" of Calvinism.

There remains today much antagonism toward Calvinism. Many even in Reformed and Presbyterian churches are ignorant of the Five Points of Calvinism, their own ecclesiastical heritage. In our spiritually illiterate age, misunderstanding and misconceptions also abound.

This book is an effort to correct this sad situation. We have attempted to set forth the Five Points of Calvinism in a straight-forward, easy-to-understand way. The book is written with the "ordinary" Christian in mind. With a view to convincing the unconvinced, the book is saturated with proof texts. We have made every effort to let the Scriptures (and God through them) speak. We also trust that the book will foster a deeper appreciation for the truths of Calvinism among those who do already consider themselves Calvinists.

This is our first attempt at book writing. We beg the indulgence of our readers. Our prayer is that the Lord will bless our feeble efforts for the cause of the advancement of His truth, for "except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it" (Psalm 127:1).

RONALD CAMMENGA

RONALD HANKO