Does God Love Everyone? The Heart of What's Wrong with Calvinism
Does God truly love all persons? Most Christians think the obvious answer to this question is, "Yes, of course he does!" Indeed, many Christians would agree that the very heart of the gospel is that God so loved the whole world that he gave his Son to make salvation available for every single person. This book shows that one of the most popular and resurgent theological movements in the contemporary evangelical church--namely, Calvinism--cannot coherently and consistently affirm this vital claim about the love of God. While some Calvinists forthrightly deny that God loves everyone, more commonly Calvinists attempt to affirm the love of God for all persons in terms that are compatible with their doctrines that Christ died only for the elect--those persons God has unconditionally chosen to save. This book shows that the Calvinist attempts to affirm God's love for all persons are fraught with severe philosophical and theological difficulties. Calvinism, then, should be rejected in favor of a theology that can forthrightly and consistently affirm the love of God for all persons. Nothing less is at stake than the very heart of the gospel.
Top Highlights
“Thus far Arminians and Calvinists share common ground. We agree that fallen humanity is dead in trespasses and sins, and that we cannot save ourselves. It is by grace that we are saved.” (source)
“Pelagianism, the ancient heresy that denies original sin, or contends that we can initiate our own salvation apart from grace.” (source)
“The emphasis is not on God’s love, but on his sovereign power to choose to save some, but not others” (source)
“sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world’ (1 John 2:2;” (source)
"Walls gets to heart of the matter when he asks, 'What does it
say about a theological system if many of those who believe it
doubt whether God loves unbelievers? Do we have good news for
everyone? Is there a message of hope for all persons? Can
we honestly preach to all unbelievers that God loves them?'
Calvinism, applied logically, cannot answer these questions in a
way that is consistent with the scriptures."
--Leighton Flowers, Director of Youth Evangelism for Texas
Baptists
"The movement loosely known as Calvinism has emerged as a vibrant
and powerful force within evangelical Protestantism. Jerry
Walls, in turn, has emerged as the most forceful and rigorous
critic of Calvinism. In this short and readable book, he puts his
theological knowledge and philosophical acumen to work in making a
biblical and logical case that Calvinism is beset with real
difficulties. Does God Love Everyone? raises some sharp
challenges that deserve serious engagement."
--Tom McCall, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology,
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
"Arguably the greatest service this volume offers is a solid
response to the busy ministry leader who is asking, 'So, what's the
big fuss over Calvinism?' Does God Love Everyone? provides
understandable answers to that contemporary question. Those
Christian faith traditions, who have historically embraced a
vibrant evangelistic effort, will appreciate the clear observations
Walls provides for keeping their commitment to effectively reach
'all the people,' with the gospel, on sturdy theological
ground."
--Byron D. Klaus, Former President, Assemblies of God Theological
Seminary
"Walls demonstrates biblically and philosophically the 'heart of
what's wrong with Calvinism' while maintaining an irenic spirit.
Everyone concerned about truth, evangelism, and the honor of God
ought to read this book, especially if they are not yet settled in
their mind about the Calvinist 'doctrines of grace.'"
--Roger E. Olson, Professor of Theology, George W. Truett
Theological Seminary, Baylor University
"This slim volume represents a brilliant critique of the heart of
Calvin's theology. It is fair in exposition, economical in
structure, and devastating in content. Contemporary Calvinists will
have to go back to the drawing board to deal with this intellectual
blitzkrieg. Game on!"
--William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley
Studies, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist
University
"Walls gets to heart of the matter when he asks, 'What does it
say about a theological system if many of those who believe it
doubt whether God loves unbelievers? Do we have good news for
everyone? Is there a message of hope for all persons? Can
we honestly preach to all unbelievers that God loves them?'
Calvinism, applied logically, cannot answer these questions in a
way that is consistent with the scriptures."
--Leighton Flowers, Director of Youth Evangelism for Texas
Baptists
"The movement loosely known as Calvinism has emerged as a vibrant
and powerful force within evangelical Protestantism. Jerry
Walls, in turn, has emerged as the most forceful and rigorous
critic of Calvinism. In this short and readable book, he puts his
theological knowledge and philosophical acumen to work in making a
biblical and logical case that Calvinism is beset with real
difficulties. Does God Love Everyone? raises some sharp
challenges that deserve serious engagement."
--Tom McCall, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology,
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
"Arguably the greatest service this volume offers is a solid
response to the busy ministry leader who is asking, 'So, what's the
big fuss over Calvinism?' Does God Love Everyone? provides
understandable answers to that contemporary question. Those
Christian faith traditions, who have historically embraced a
vibrant evangelistic effort, will appreciate the clear observations
Walls provides for keeping their commitment to effectively reach
'all the people,' with the gospel, on sturdy theological
ground."
--Byron D. Klaus, Former President, Assemblies of God Theological
Seminary
"Walls demonstrates biblically and philosophically the 'heart of
what's wrong with Calvinism' while maintaining an irenic spirit.
Everyone concerned about truth, evangelism, and the honor of God
ought to read this book, especially if they are not yet settled in
their mind about the Calvinist 'doctrines of grace.'"
--Roger E. Olson, Professor of Theology, George W. Truett
Theological Seminary, Baylor University
"This slim volume represents a brilliant critique of the heart of
Calvin's theology. It is fair in exposition, economical in
structure, and devastating in content. Contemporary Calvinists will
have to go back to the drawing board to deal with this intellectual
blitzkrieg. Game on!"
--William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley
Studies, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist
University
Product Details
- Title : Does God Love Everyone?: The Heart of What's Wrong with Calvinism
- Author: Walls, Jerry L.
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Publication Date: 2016
- ISBN: 9781498249348
Jerry L. Walls is Scholar in Residence and Professor of Philosophy at Houston Baptist University. Among his books is a trilogy on the afterlife and, more recently, a popular synthesis of the trilogy entitled Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory: Rethinking the Things that Matter Most. He is also the co-author (with Joseph R. Dongell) of Why I Am Not a Calvinist.