Book Review: Humble Calvinism, by J. A. Medders
February 5, 2019
February 5, 2019
I cannot recall the number of times that I have heard something tantamount to “I would never be a Calvinist because of this guy/church/professor I know.” The fact of the matter is those of us in the reformed camp know that we sometimes struggle with arrogance. J. A. Medders seeks to provide us a way out.
He notes that the book was written for the problem I described above, written because the problem with Calvinism is “Calvinists like me.” (13) He seeks to “crack open the five points . . . so that we can see what happens when the points get into our hearts” (27). The goal of this? To transcend simply studying the doctrines of grace and embrace the grace of our doctrine— embarrassingly, to see “Christ in our Calvinism” (28).
Medders distinguishes between “Head-Calvinism” and “Heart-Calvinism” in an effort to wean his readership from the first to the second. He provides both historical comments and personal anecdotes to achieve this goal.
A helpful section of the book for the novice to all things reformed appears in between chapters 1 and 2: A Short Interlude about Jargon and Church History. In this practical excursus, the author introduces less theological readers to the terms and history of Calvinism, as well as to the “jargon, acronyms, and name drops needed to enjoy this book” (36).
Chapter 2 provides the author’s apologetic for his title, which he admits might sound like an oxymoron to some but most certainly is not in its truest form.
My hope for this book is that you’ll see the points of Calvinism not as lights in which to bask but as a lit path toward enjoying Jesus, the light of the world, personally and powerfully (43).
The author unpacks and repackages the five points from chapters three to seven. Throughout, Medders provides clear descriptions of each point, reorients each point through the lens of Christ, and then provides helpful and encouraging, if not sometimes painful, pastoral and practical implications. In one particularly helpful section, Medders unpacks the doctrine of perseverance and provides the reader with healthy evaluative questions for any believer.
Are you lukewarm toward other believers? Do you actually pray for others when you say you will? Do you pursue meeting up with those who are struggling? Do you risk a comfortable friendship in order to give, with tears in your eyes, a necessary rebuke? Don’t belittle the role of the saints in your perseverance or your role in theirs (150).
Medders’ book is full of memorable and compelling descriptions of warm-hearted, humble Calvinism.
This compilation characterizes the book as a whole. There is simple but rich reformed preaching here. Medders provides a plethora of quotes from historic heroes of reformed theology that clearly promote a Calvinism that is happily married to a robust, evangelistic, practical theology. All in all, you are missing out if you don’t read this book.
If there are points that need redirection in the book, they are few.
For instance, some of Medders’ illustrations regarding limited atonement I found unhelpful and confusing. But these minor quibbles aside, the book is accessible, instructive, and edifying.
I cannot recall the number of times that Calvinists have given a bad name to their own theology. This book is a simple, straightforward, and humble correction and encouragement to follow the Savior from the reformed ranks. Medders provides all who join him with a satisfying and God-glorifying path to follow.