Rating: 
Summary: Recommendations
Review: For several superb works on Calvinism, I recommend the following. Search for them on the web (many free materials are available from these authors).Gordon Clark (Trinity Foundation):
- Biblical Predestination
- God and Evil Vincent Cheung (Reformation Ministries International):
- Systematic Theology
- Ultimate Questions
- Presuppositional Confrontations
Rating: 
Summary: Calvin Exposed - History's 2nd Greatest Biblical Isogete
Review: You cannot expect all of the Calvinists who reviewed this book to give it a fair hearing. The bottom line is that this work (along with C. Gordon Olson's book "Beyond Calvinism & Arminianism") has hit the Calvinauts where it hurts - right in the mind. These 2 books are, without a doubt, the most comprehensive and well thought out exposes on "the Protestant Aquinas" (i.e., Calvin) that have ever been written. Calvin has been revealed for what he was, a dubious historical figure with a faulty theological system, based upon the Biblically "baby-fied" misinterpretations of history's number 1 Scriptural isogete, Augustine. I recommend this book to anyone who is able to understand the first rule of Biblical interpretation, namely, a verse can only mean what the context will allow it to mean. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book to most Calvinists because they understand little regarding Biblical interpretation and end up relying upon Calvin, the Synod of Dort, the Westminster Confession or various Puritan writers to tell them what to think.
Rating: 
Summary: MAN,S WAR AGAINST THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
Review: THIS BOOK IS JUST ANOTHER PREDICTABLE DIATRIBE AGAINST THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. WHEN ARMINIANS CAN SPIN AWAY THE TRUTH THEY CONSTANTLY PRAY FOR GOD TO SAVE SINNERS THAT ARE NOT INTERESTED;WHEN THEY CAN SPIN AWAY THE TRUTH THAT GOD SOVEREIGNLY PASSED BY THE RACE OF FALLEN ANGELS AND CHOSE,SOVEREIGNLY,TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE RACE OF FALLEN MEN;AND THEY CAN SPIN AWAY THE TRUTH THAT ANTICHRIST HAS BEEN PREDESTINED TO DAMNATION BY GOD FROM ALL ETERNITY,THEN THEY MAY GET A HEARING FROM OTHER THAN THE HIGHLY IGNORENT AND PERVERSE. GOD CLEARLY STATES IN THE BIBLE THAT HE PREDESTINATES THE DESTINY OF THE REBELLIOUS SINFUL LITTLE POTS. HIS ANSWER TO THOSE THAT HATE THIS IS THAT HIS GRACE HIS FREE AND HE DOES NOT TAKE ORDERS FROM MEN. THE BIBLE STATES GOD IS EVERYTHING AND MEN ARE NOTHING. SO LET ALL THE SINFUL LITTLE POTS BE LIARS AND THE POTTER BE TRUE. J W MAJORS
Rating:
Summary: Thank you, Dr. Vance
Review: I had some questions about predestination and got some books by RC Sproul from our church library. After reading them, I was fairly convinced of the rightness of Reformed theology when a Baptist friend loaned me this book by Dr. Vance. There is simply no way I can express my thanks to Dr. Vance. I know now for certain that Calvinism is a man made doctrine. Dr. Vance not only analyzes Calvinism from a Biblical perspective, but also from a historic perspective. It comes up short in both areas. Another reviewer said that Dr. Vance doesn't know theology. I don't know about that, but he sure knows the Bible! This book is saturated with Biblical references. Every argument is supported by scripture upon scripture. I often thought Sproul took some leaps in logic when he discussed scripture such as "whosoever will" and the like. Dr. Vance, on the other hand, seems content to "let God be true, and every man a liar." I have a Ph.D. in history and I was pleased to find Dr. Vance so careful and meticulous in his references. I only wish he could have taken the time to provide an annotated bibliography rather than just a cursory list of references which goes on for page after page.
Rating: 
Summary: searching for Biblical truth
Review: For those interested in a sound work that refutes Calvinist 5 points - see George Bryson's "Five Points of Calvinism". An excellent, well-balanced, Biblically supported and clearly argued piece.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Rebuttle of Unbiblical Teachings
Review: Vance's book does a very good job of confronting Calvinist doctrine with both reason and Scripture. Vance avoids the common accusation launched by Calvinists that he is misrepresenting them by extensvely providing quotes from their own writings. Vance then addresses the Scriptures used by Calvinists and shows how they attempt to read their theology into the text rather than allowing the text to speak for itself. Vance then gives further Scripture - sometimes Scripture that are neglected by Calvinists - and shows how these Scriptures contradict so called "Reformed" theology. You will also see how Calvinists throuhout the years have contradicted one another and even though cannot seem to agree with one another on their own convoluted theology. My only problems with Vance is his KJV only stance. While I find this to be an EXCELLENT work that has helped me much, it could be an OUTSTANDING work if Vance did not take the KJV Only stance, especially since some historians document the Calvinist influence upon the KJV. The other problem is Vance's stringent stance on eternal security, or "once saved, always saved." While I do not agree with the extreme Arminian view that every little sin causes one to lose his/her salvation, neither can I accept a view that teaches that a person is saved regardless of ANY future choices that they make. That is why I give it four stars rather than five. Other than those two shortcomings, this book is well worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: Recommended Author
Review: I recommend the writings of theologian VINCENT CHEUNG to everyone. To my knowledge, no one has refuted his arguments for Calvinism, and I don't think anyone ever will. He has also derived an invincible system of apologetics, which again, to my knowledge, has never been defeated in private or public debates. Just search for him on the web -- all his books are free for download, so you have nothing to lose.
Rating:
Summary: Still Waiting
Review: I'm still waiting for the book that demolishes the doctrine of election in a thorough way using thorough biblical exegesis. This book by Vance is another reason for Arminians to be red-faced with embarassment at what is purported to represent biblical truth. This book is full of subjective and ad hominem arguments. These arguments will undoubtedly stir many to agree with Vance's position (as evidenced by the many five star reviews of this book here on Amazon); however, a discerning Christian reader should be able to cut through the subjective fluff and get to the root of the arguments via sound exegesis. This book is another example of the lack of sound exegesis that is sadly far too prevalent in today's pulpits and Christian bookstores. The more I read anti-Calvinist books like this one from Vance and those from Hunt, Shank, Pinnock, and others, the more I'm coming to believe that there will never be a book that honestly and biblically refutes and destroys the doctrine of God's sovereign election unto salvation. I at least commend Gregory Boyd, Clark Pinnock, and others who hold to their unbiblical open theism postion as being consistent; a step that Vance is seemingly unwilling to make. Open theism is the logical conclusion to Arminianism, and I believe that many who adhere to open theism do so largely because their theology (not the Bible) leads them there. Now, I understand that Arminians accuse Calvinists of doing the same type of thing in formulating their doctrines (that is theology not the Bible compels them to adhere to a doctrine); however, after reading many many books from both camps, I'm convinced that that those who hold to the doctrine of God's sovereign election of sinners for salvation have the more consistently biblical and exegetically honest argument. If you disagree with me, pleeeaaaaassssseeeee write "the book" that will once and for all dispel Calvinism. I say this with all sincerity that no one would like to read it more than me.
Rating:
Summary: sometimes good, sometimes bad, often quirky
Review: For several years now, I've grown increasingly discontent with Calvinist theology and have been looking for a good treatise to systematically present the alternative viewpoint. I was excited to hear about this book that is now in its second edition. The book certainly is comprehensive and covers all the important material. Early on the book seems to put too much emphasis on criticizing Calvin's life (especially his involvement in Servetus' death), but at least he does set everything in a historical context. Vance nicely traces the roots of the Calvin-Arminius debate to Augustine and Pelagius. The book does a fine job of quoting both sides of the debate. In fact, to his credit, I think Vance quotes more from Calvinists than Arminians in trying to disprove Calvinism! While much of the book is informative, particularly the numerous citations of Calvinist beliefs, I am disappointed with much of it. My main criticisms would be the following: 1. Be prepared for a book by a "KJV only" person. Vance quotes from the bible often, even when the KJV translation is clearly inferior. For example in talking about Total Depravity, Psalm 39:5 is cited in the KJV, which reads, "verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity." This reads like a pro-Calvinistic verse, but every other translation shows that this verse should read differently. For example the ESV reads, "Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath." Vance could have remarked on this to help his case, but shows zero interest in looking at any other translation. In some instances, anti-Calvinist verses are cited that are actually not so. For example to show that all people are made not as elect/reprobate, Vance quotes Psalm 33:15 which reads, "He fashioneth their hearts alike." But again, modern translations based on better Hebrew scholarship show that this is not the best translation of this verse. The NASB renders the same verse, "He who fashions the hearts of them all." A totally different meaning! So I found myself constantly having to check other translations to make sure that the KJV was an accurate translation. Besides these examples, sometimes I found myself just confused at some KJV translations that he lists. Acts 17:30, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at." Winked at?! Again, the author's KJV only stance forced me to look up almost every important verse to get another perspective. 2. Probably because of the author's KJV-only beliefs, he seems to care much more about it than the underlying Greek or Hebrew. He constantly asks questions about how often a word is used, a word like depravity, elect, predestined, etc. There is almost no care for the Hebrew or Greek underlying it, just how the KJV reads, even if it translates different Greek or Hebrew words with the same English word, or if the same English word had multiple Hebrew/Greek equivalents. This was extremely frustrating and really diminished the scholarship of the book. 3. The author often attacks Calvinistic interpretations, but often does not provide an alternative one. This was very frustrating. Many times he would do a good job showing how Calvinists read their own interpretation into verses, but does little to construct an alternative interpretation. Sometimes the attacks he makes are based on downright flimsy argumentation. Sometimes however, Vance is brilliant in his arguments. 4. Sometimes the book is too caustic or just outright bizzare. Talking about the famous TULIP acronymn, the books reads, "The five points of Calvinism are commmonly given under the acronym TULIP. To those in the medical profession, TULIP is a reference to a form of laser surgery for prostate problems (Transurethral Ultrasound-guided Laser-Induced Prostatectomy). To the average man, however, a TULIP is just a flower." (p. 145) What!?! I couldn't tell if this was supposed to be funny or not, but there are strange things like this throughout the book. There are some definite strengths of the book. He points out that Calvinists often artificially dichotomize everything, and Vance provides insight into the real significance of their buzzwords. For example, he correctly points out that the most important aspect of Total Depravity is "Total inability." On the whole, there were some good things in the book, but the presentation was just not good enough for me to recommend. I'm still searching for a good, comprehensive anti-Calvinist treatise. I actually think this book has the potential to be it, so I'm hoping that Vance makes a third revision of this book. It certainly has the potential to be an amazing book. May 10, 2003
------------- Addenum to original review
April 6, 2004 Now nearly a year after I wrote the above review (amazon lets you edit old reviews that you wrote), I wanted to add that I did finally find the book that I can recommend on contesting Calvinistic claims. The book is: "Grace, Faith, and Free Will" by Robert Picirilli (also available on amazon.com). It's much more scholarly than Vance's book, and I felt more decisive in its arguments. It's also cheaper and more concise. I would strongly recommend taking a look at that book before buying Vance's book. Picirilli is a professor of Greek, and writes in a cool, level-headed fashion that also demonstrates superb exegesis. Picirilli's book, in my mind, sets the new standard in this field.
Rating:
Summary: An example of OSAS
Review: There are many good things about this book. It is a tour-de-force of Calvinist intelectual history, particularly within the Baptist worldview. This material is rich, highly educational and comprises the bulk of this very large volume. Unfortunately, Vance's conclusions are not part of the good things about this book. I am writing as a Pentecostal who is totally non-Reformed in his soteriology, just so you know where I am coming from. I absolutely and categorically reject all 5 points of T.U.L.I.P. en-toto, but especially the doctrine of preservation of the saints [A.k.A. once saved always saved]. I know for a fact that its is entirely possible for truly born again individual to apostatize and be damned to hell eternally. Vance is basically an Amyraldian, who believes that you are eternally secure the moment you first believe, no matter what you might do subsiquently. No sanctification? No problem! Unforgiving? Never you mind! Sexually perverted? It is of no consequence. Did you commit murder or suicide? Don't worry about it! Once you are saved by faith alone you are always saved. You have been given an inexhaustible grace budget. You cannot sin your way out of it. These false notions constitute a completely wrong view of sin and of God's grace, and are totally unsupportable based the Old or New Testaments. They constitute a logical Platonic philosophy, not a Biblical soteriology. We are forever showing them the same deadly biblical verses that destroy this bankrupt philosophy, and yet they continue to deny that which is obvious. The only thing Vance wants to do is show you that unconditional election and reprobation are not true. Consiquently, neither is limited atonement, or definite atonement, or particular redemption (whatever you want to call it). He dismembers these doctrines well. This is not very difficult to do because (of course) these doctrines are wrong. He bombards the Calvinist with many of the scriptures they never like to read, and always hate to stumble across. He sharply criticizes Primitive Baptists and Reformed Baptists for denying that we need to make a full and free offer of the gospel to all people everywhere, and for denying that they can be saved. He ridicules them for insisting on something as extra-biblical as the 5-Points of Dort. He challanges them to put their false doctrines to the test.
Unfortunately, as I said before, the author remains a Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS) kind-of-a-guy. This conclusion is wrong, totally unwarrented, and dangerous. There are only about 100 NT passages that are totally irreconcilable with this position Matt 25:30, Hebrews 10:26 and all of Matthew 18:31 and forward do away with this notion. There are many other classic passages such as Hebrews 6, Romans 11, and Philippians 3 that ...[foul up] the doctrine of eternal unconditional security
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