“Mere Calvinism” by Jim Scott Orrick is another book on the doctrines of grace as summed up in the acronym TULIP. Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, and Perseverance of the saints make up what are commonly referred to as the 5 points of Calvinism. Many Calvinists, including Orrick occasionally prefer different or more precise language to describe these doctrines so at times the author explains where he might use different words than those just listed.

I tried to read this book keeping in mind how I felt first exploring the doctrines of grace and what I wanted from or did not like about works on the same topic. One major thing I wanted was thorough exegesis of Calvinist proof texts, which is more suited for a commentary than a short book such as this. In his chapter on limited atonement Orrick offers a wonderfully compiled list of passages which plainly state the doctrine. He does not, nor do I believe he sets out to offer an extensive exegesis of each specific verse, however he does an excellent job of explaining and laying the foundations of these doctrines. I would say compared to other works, “Mere Calvinism” is actually one of the more thorough in explaining what each doctrine means and the biblical foundation for believing them. I also found his explanations of what world and all mean in context to be beneficial.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for the new Calvinist to gain a more solid foundation in what they believe, “old” Calvinists looking to refresh their knowledge, or the curious non-Calvinist who simply wants to know what Calvinists believe, don’t believe, and why.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Beautifully written, Good as a introduction for new believers, or as a primer for everyone. Full of wisdom.

I found this work by Orrick to be very thoughtful and passionate without coming across as crass or disagreeable. The writing style reminds me of Steve Brown. This was a pleasant rendering of the discussion on the doctrines of grace. I fully enjoyed the pastoral style.

This book seeks to explain Calvinism to Calvinists. That's the book at its simplest. In the introduction he writes, "I fear that we pastors and teachers are making a serious mistake when we assume that our people and students understand Calvinism just because they call themselves Calvinists." In the first chapter he writes, "My goal in this book is to demonstrate to you, the reader, that the Bible teaches that God always does as he pleases, and that he initiates, sustains, and completes the salvation of everyone who goes to heaven."

But in the process of explaining Calvinism to Calvinists, there is an opportunity to explain it to others as well. Perhaps to those that have long misunderstood it. Perhaps to those that have feared it.

Anyone who carefully--prayerfully--reads Mere Calvinism would find it difficult to deny that Orrick's book is saturated with the Word of God. That his arguments for Calvinism are rooted deeply, oh-so-deeply, in the Word of God. Now mere human logic or reason will never get believers to switch teams from Arminianism to Calvinism. But perhaps with a little nudge, nudge from the Spirit, the book will do just that. Not because Orrick is super-persuasive and a charismatic teacher. But because his book rightly uses the Word of God.

The first chapter introduces Calvinism briefly. The last chapter plays a "what if" and "but in fact" game with Calvinism. In between, Orrick spends a chapter on each of the five points of Calvinism. T for Total Depravity. U for Unconditional Election. L for Limited Atonement. I for Irresistible Grace. P for Perseverance of the Saints. Usually he includes several illustrations per chapter to help readers understand abstract ideas.

I did not grow up a Calvinist. I was born into an Arminian church-going family. But as I began--as an adult--studying the Word, listening to biblically sound teachers on the radio, reading theology I had an epiphany of sorts. I became an enthusiastic Calvinist who LOVED talking the five points to anyone and everyone--whether they wanted to listen or not. I have read many books on the subject. This book is in some ways a basic beginner course in understanding the five points. I didn't precisely learn anything new, but it was a good opportunity to rejoice in these doctrines once again.

“I have attempted to write a simple, easy-to-understand explanation of the Five Points of Calvinism.”

Thus Jim Orrick introduces his book to the reader and in that endeavor he has certainly succeeded. Because debates over Calvinism will continue to crop up (and often rage) a book like this will certainly prove helpful. I was very pleased to receive a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

The author identifies another reason for his book, other than merely explaining the basic tenets of Calvinism:

"I have preached and taught through the material found in this book, and here is what I have observed: most of those persons who call themselves Calvinists do not really know much about Calvinism."

With that observation in mind, this book is useful for at least three kinds of people: those who know little more about Calvinism than that it exists, those who might know a little about Calvinism but who want to learn more, and those who might not know quite as much about Calvinism as they think they do.

As Orrick points out, Calvinism is more than the famous “Five Points” (memorialized, for better or worse, in the acrostic TULIP). However, because the handful of issues summarized in TULIP comprise a large portion of what an average Christian might know about Calvinism, he sticks to those for the outline of this book. Importantly, however, Orrick makes clear that he has set out “not to explain what John Calvin taught but to explain what the Bible teaches.”

As expected, Orrick walks through the five points of Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. His explanations are straightforward and firmly rooted in the Scriptures. He takes ample time along the way to correct misconceptions and answer objections.

However, straightforward explanations of Calvinism that are faithful to the Bible and deal with the most frequent objections are not exactly scarce. For my part, the book I have reached for on several occasions when it comes to this topic is Chosen By God by R.C. Sproul. It was, in fact, that book that helped me come to accept that the Bible taught the Doctrines of Grace of Reformed theology. Similar works are in no short supply. What, then, does Jim Orrick’s book add to the library of Christian literature that might have been lacking?

Throughout my reading, I highlighted several references to lyrics from old hymns with which I was not familiar. I’m always on the lookout for songs that accurately and beautifully convey God’s truth and the author provided more than a few.

Another unique aspect of the book is the final chapter. Following the example of Paul in I Corinthians 15:12-28, Orrick presents a series of “what if . . . but in fact” arguments for each of the five points. Presented that way, the summary of arguments for the truths of the five points is particularly compelling.

Perhaps the best thing Orrick adds to the discussion is his use of stories and anecdotes. Often, it seems that some have a negative reaction to Calvinism because of an impression that it is overly philosophical and theoretical. As Orrick relates how he has personally interacted to explain these Biblical doctrines, that myth is quickly exploded. Although R.C. Sproul’s explanation of the exact same issues hit me right between the eyes, the same won’t always be true for others. Orrick certainly uses some of the same lines of reasoning, but sometimes it takes coming at a truth from a slightly different angle to help someone see it. That, perhaps, is the greatest value of this book; not that it covers totally new ground, but that it faithfully covers the same truths from the Word of God in a way that will make sense to those who might have otherwise struggled to understand.

Other favorite quotes

*Why would a sin-loving person ever freely choose to submit to a sin-killing Christ who was sent to reconcile him to a God whom he does not like, and who would ultimately take him to a place where he would be in the presence of God forever with a bunch of people who think something is wise that he thinks is foolish–a place where he will never again be able to enjoy the sins that he loves?

*Unconditional election presents us with a God who plans; conditional election present us with a God who reacts.

*Faith is a condition of salvation, but faith is not a work. On the contrary, faith entails the cessation of works that might otherwise be performed in the hope of earning salvation.

Calvinism is heavily debated in some churches, and both sides have reasons for what they believe. I wanted to read this to try and find out what Calvinism actually is. Most people I have run into that claim to be Calvinists could not explain it other than to say that's what they were taught.

Mere Calvinism is very thorough and goes into great detail about the five points of Calvinism, and what they mean. Jim Scott Orrick shares how it is a worldview, and does not discourage Christians from evangelism or missions. For each of the points, he shows what the Bible says, and provides answers to the common arguments.

Orrick points to the Bible as the source, not his opinion. His writing is done with humility, not as someone try to convince you by guilt or force. He acknowledges that not everyone will agree with him, and that being a Calvinist is not what saves you.

Mere Calvinism does a good job of presenting the five points, what each one is, and what they mean in the life of a Christian. Even though the book is straight-forward, there were some parts that I had to read several times before I understood his point.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.