All That God Cares About
Common Grace and Divine Delight
by Richard J. Mouw
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Pub Date Jun 16 2020 | Archive Date Sep 18 2020
Baker Academic & Brazos Press | Brazos Press
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Description
Advance Praise
“God takes delight! Mouw has given many of us the gift of that truth through his writing and speaking and very being! In this clearly written book he engages many thinkers to help us know that redemption is cosmic in scope and to help us appreciate the work of the Holy Spirit beyond the boundaries of the Christian community.”—Katherine Leary Alsdorf, senior advisor, Global Faith & Work Initiatives, Redeemer City to City
“Vincent van Gogh once said, ‘The great thing is to gather new vigor in reality.’ This is exactly what Mouw is doing in All That God Cares About. He is gathering new vigor for our undivided attention to the reality of God’s world. Rather than sludging through the embattled history of the doctrine of common grace in our Calvinian camps, Mouw compels us to apprehend and admire the coruscations of God’s glory shed abroad in this fallen world.”—Tim Blackmon, chaplain, Wheaton College
“In this winsome book, Richard Mouw takes readers on an enlightening tour of the theologies of creation, redemption, and eschatology undergirding his hopeful theology of common grace. Irenic but never shy to respond to critique, Mouw gives us a book that will engage and inform readers from a wide range of theological standpoints. All That God Cares About is a delight to read!”—J. Todd Billings, Gordon H. Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology, Western Theological Seminary
“While this book is a thoughtfully crafted exploration of the doctrine of common grace, it is also a fascinating piece of theological autobiography. In it, one of our era’s great irenic Christian thinkers shares his exploration of his Calvinist tradition, centered on his richly textured view of the distinctly Calvinistic idea of common grace. Although this book has an autobiographical quality, its point is not that we look at its author. Rather, All That God Cares About invites us to look through Mouw’s eyes as he shows us Calvinism, which, like Mouw himself, proves to be both firm and generous, systematic but never dull, clear yet mysterious. And because Mouw shows us his Calvinism through the lens of common grace, he lets us see how he views God and God’s world. What a thing to share!”—James Eglinton, Meldrum Lecturer in Reformed Theology, New College, University of Edinburgh
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781587434754 |
| PRICE | $25.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 176 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Jesse S, Educator
Richard Mouw is a big name in Kuyperian circles. He regularly writes about neo-Calvinism and Kuyper’s vision of Common Grace. His latest book, All that God Cares About (available June 16, 2020), continues that work. I will admit that this is my first look at Mouw’s work so I am behind in the conversation but I think it is worth jumping in here since Mouw says that this book is an update on his previous work on common grace.
In considering common grace, the primary question Mouw considers is how God can both bless non-Christians with artistic skills and also allow them to go to Hell. At one point, Mouw points to ancient Chinese pottery and asks: “What does God think of those pots and vases? I don’t think the production of these works of art is explainable simply in terms of the providential restraint of sin. My sense is that the Lord took delight in the talents of the artists themselves in crafting this pottery and wants us to delight in them as well” (Kindle Location 905). In this example, Mouw is pushing back on the frequent description of common grace as merely a restraint on evildoers and instead Mouw suggests that in some way God actually delights in these gifts that he gives to non-Christians.
I appreciate much of Mouw’s discussion in this book and it was edifying to read about other theologians who have talked about this issue: Cornelius VanTil, Klaas Schilder, and Herman Hoeksema.
In discussions on common grace, it is easy to emphasize this grace so much that common grace becomes salvific grace. Mouw is aware of this temptation and error and he is clear that he does not hold or teach that error. I appreciated that point. I do have some concerns about this book and you can read more here: http://kuyperian.com/book-review-all-that-god-cares-about-by-richard-mouw/
Lucas H, Reviewer
The following is a review of Richard Mouw’s All That God Cares About.
The doctrine of common grace can be a tricky subject. Some may disregard it altogether. Richard Mouw addresses this topic and offers a humble support of common grace, illustrating that which God delights in, and how God’s people can join in that delight.
God delights in all things that glorify Him, and this book is certainly one of those things. Mouw’s description of and application of common grace is fair, comprehensible, and inspiring.
The book ultimately served as a primer, not only on common grace, but on fundamental neo-Calvinist thought and practice, as well as an ode to the theology and legacy of Abraham Kuyper. Mouw’s passion for the subject matter is tangible while reading, and I am left wanting to learn more about neo-Calvinism, Kuyper, and Mouw himself.
To be honest, the book can be difficult to follow at times for those who (like me) do not have a seminary degree. Mouw’s theological vocabulary is rich, and there were several times where I was fascinated by what Mouw said, but I could not understand due to a lack of theological astuteness on my part. In several ways, this book has left me with more questions than answers in regard to common grace and neo-Calvinism, yet I do not take that as a negative.
I greatly enjoyed this book, and I am certain that it’s value will only increase with a second read-through. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to read it, and I do not hesitate to recommend it to those with an interest in, and at least somewhat of a background/education in theology.
Brazos Press sent me a digital copy of this book for the purpose of this review.
