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The History and Theology of Calvinism

Curt Daniel

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The History and Theology of Calvinism

Curt Daniel

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With forewords by both Joel Beeke and John MacArthur, you would be right to expect something special from this book. Curt Daniel's The History and Theology of Calvinism is the result of decades of study and teaching. It provides a comprehensive overview of Calvinism in two sections: the “History” surveys the Reformed theologians and preachers, the development of the theology and the major controversies. The “Theology” section discusses doctrines related to the sovereignty of God, the five points of Calvinism and the distinctive contributions of Calvinism in other areas.

What others are saying about The History and Theology of Calvinism:

"Several years ago, a friend gave me a bound copy of Dr. Daniel’s notes on the history of Calvinism and the doctrines of grace. I’ve kept it nearby ever since. It’s one of the most useful and informative resources in my entire library—well written, crystal clear, and thorough without being ponderous. I’m delighted to see this expanded edition in print."
— John MacArthur, Senior Pastor, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California, President of the Master's Seminary and the Master's University

"This invaluable volume is a virtual goldmine containing the rich history and theology of the Reformed truths known as Calvinism. The beauty of this book is its comprehensive breadth and accessible readability that surveys the vast landscape of this immense subject matter. Ever since these pages first appeared years ago, it has been a trusted guide to me to navigate my journey through the many pivotal individuals, strategic movements, and doctrinal issues of biblical Calvinism. No serious student of church history or systematic theology can afford to be without this work in your personal library."
Steven J. Lawson, President, OnePassion Ministries, Dallas, TX

"Curt is a proven scholar and a personal devotee of the doctrines to which he gives such careful attention in this book. It does not merely go over the well-known history already present in many volumes (though it does not ignore that) but gives both substance and perspective that is needed today in a time when there is growing renewed interest in these doctrines. I personally hope that you will pursue the opportunity to publish this substantial volume which interacts so thoroughly with Calvinism in its various nuances and denominational expressions."
Tom Nettles, Professor of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

"There is no doubt that Calvinism (even though John Calvin would abhor the term) has played a critical role in the history of the Christian faith. Amazingly, though, there have been very few studies that have sought to provide a comprehensive overview of both its history and theology. Dr Daniel’s survey of the narrative and thought of this influential worldview does just that and does it magisterially. This textbook (for that is what it truly is) is thus very welcome and will be enormously helpful for all who are interested in this tremendous Christian movement."
Michael A. G. Haykin, Chair & Professor of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

"It would be pretty hard to overstate how helpful Curt Daniel’s notes on Calvinism have been in my study of historical theology and the Protestant Reformation. He has an uncanny knack for untangling hard theological knots and deftly sweeping away confusion and misunderstanding. I have gained more insight from this volume than from any other book on systematic theology or church history, and yet this is a resource I can (and regularly do) recommend to lay people—even those who are just beginning to study theology seriously. It’s rare and refreshing to find a treatise on theology that is so comprehensive and yet so easy to read. This is that book. Get a copy. I promise you will thank me for the recommendation."
Phil Johnson, Executive Director, Grace to You

"The History and Theology of Calvinism is a fascinating, tortuous, compelling drama. Curt Daniel, through a lifetime of study, deftly and insightfully sketches the course and essential content of that drama. Daniel understands the variegated nature of Calvinism and ably guides us through the highs
and lows of the drama, never failing to engage us with the often-maligned characters and often misunderstood theology that constitute historic Calvinism. This is a book that is vast in its sweep and deep in its analysis. I highly recommend it."
Ian Hamilton, Professor of Systematic Theology, Edinburgh Theological Seminary, Edinburgh, Scotland; and editor, Banner of Truth magazine

"Curt Daniel has done extensive research into the history and theology of Calvinism and has written one of the most helpful and readable treatments of Calvinism in print. The comments are fair and irenic, and the book attempts to cover the entire sweep of Calvinism (including much information on Puritanism and other Reformed groups, past and present). It is worth its weight in gold!"
Lance Quinn, Senior Pastor, Bethany Bible Church, Thousand Oaks, California

  • Title

    The History and Theology of Calvinism

  • Author(s)

    Curt Daniel

  • ISBN

    9781783972821

  • Format

    Hardback

  • Publisher

    Evangelical Press

  • Pages

    906

  • Published

    15/09/2020

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Overall rating

5.0 based on 3 reviews

A commendable theological achievement

Curt Daniel’s The History and Theology of Calvinism is an invaluable work, offering a comprehensive and definitive examination of Calvinism. Published by Evangelical Press in an excellent hardback format, the book not only serves as a scholarly contribution but also boasts an aesthetic appeal that aligns with the gravity of its content. At its core, Daniel’s work is a journey through the corridors of time and doctrine, unraveling the history and tenets of Calvinism with precision and clarity. As the book’s title conveys, this volume is divided into two main sections: history and theology. In the history section, Daniel skillfully navigates through the annals of Calvinistic development, shedding light on key figures, events, and controversies that have shaped this theological tradition. Daniel was able to distill complex historical narratives into digestible portions without sacrificing depth. Readers are taken on a chronological expedition, from pre-Calvinism to its roots, development, and impact on society and various Christian denominations throughout history. Whether one is a seasoned theologian or a novice in history and religious studies, Daniel’s prose effortlessly guides the reader through the intricate web of Calvinistic history. The theology section of the book is equally commendable. Daniel, a distinguished Reformed Baptist, approaches the theological nuances of Calvinism with a rare blend of academic rigor and pastoral insight. The essentials of Calvinistic theology are presented with concise yet faithful treatments, making it accessible to readers with varying levels of theological background. What sets Daniel’s work apart is its readability. The author adeptly balances scholarly precision with a conversational tone, making complex theological concepts approachable to a wider audience. This accessibility is particularly valuable in a landscape where theological literature often tends to be dense and impenetrable to the layperson. Aside from this, Daniel included a brief summary of each chapter in the table contents which provides readers a good overview. Read my full review on https://kristiyaknow.wordpress.com/2023/12/18/review-the-history-and-theology-of-calvinism/
Marc Daniel

The History and Theology of Calvinism

This must be the most comprehensive study of the subject available today. It is difficult to think of any aspect of Calvinism that is not covered. It is divided into two major sections. The first covers the history, and ranges from Augustine through to the 20th century. It explores many of the tributaries thrown up by Calvinism but never loses sight of the main stream: authentic Reformed theology. This is dealt with in the second, larger portion. 62 chapters here will give an indication of how exhaustive this study is. The writer does not confine himself to the ‘five points’, but helpfully ranges over other important doctrines associated with the scheme. Scarcely any aspect fails to be investigated. It is a demanding read, not helped by the small print across more than 900 pages, but it is clear and easy to follow. Perhaps it is not a book to be read from cover to cover but rather viewed as a textbook, as the author himself suggests. Extensive footnotes and bibliography not only show the breadth of the author’s research, but provide anything the reader might wish to study further. When some aspect of Calvinism or Reformed theology occupies your thoughts, take the book down from your shelves, skim through the chapter headings, and you will almost certainly find material to enable you to go deeper. When dealing with the various shades of opposition to Reformed theology that have arisen over the years, the author is fair and balanced. He avoids intemperate condemnation and points out the faults gently but authoritatively. For example, Arminianism is ‘an error but not necessarily a damnable heresy’ (p.14). He is equally measured in his treatment of the great heroes of Calvinism, insisting that they should be understood against the background of their times. Addressing the Servetus incident in his potted biography of John Calvin, he concludes that the matter was not well handled, and that exile rather than execution would have served to maintain the godly society which the Reformers sought to establish. Although it is a history covering 15 centuries, Daniel finishes on a positive note as he views the future: ‘If Reformed Theology is the purest form of Biblical Christianity, then we can expect the Lord to bless it in the future’ (p.728). No student of Reformed theology or lover of church history should be without this book. Highly recommended!

John Harris

The History and Theology of Calvinism

This must be the most comprehensive study of the subject available today. It is difficult to think of any aspect of Calvinism that is not covered. It is divided into two major sections. The first covers the history, and ranges from Augustine through to the 20th century. It explores many of the tributaries thrown up by Calvinism but never loses sight of the main stream: authentic Reformed theology. This is dealt with in the second, larger portion. 62 chapters here will give an indication of how exhaustive this study is. The writer does not confine himself to the ‘five points’, but helpfully ranges over other important doctrines associated with the scheme. Scarcely any aspect fails to be investigated. It is a demanding read, not helped by the small print across more than 900 pages, but it is clear and easy to follow. Perhaps it is not a book to be read from cover to cover but rather viewed as a textbook, as the author himself suggests. Extensive footnotes and bibliography not only show the breadth of the author’s research, but provide anything the reader might wish to study further. When some aspect of Calvinism or Reformed theology occupies your thoughts, take the book down from your shelves, skim through the chapter headings, and you will almost certainly find material to enable you to go deeper. When dealing with the various shades of opposition to Reformed theology that have arisen over the years, the author is fair and balanced. He avoids intemperate condemnation and points out the faults gently but authoritatively. For example, Arminianism is ‘an error but not necessarily a damnable heresy’ (p.14). He is equally measured in his treatment of the great heroes of Calvinism, insisting that they should be understood against the background of their times. Addressing the Servetus incident in his potted biography of John Calvin, he concludes that the matter was not well handled, and that exile rather than execution would have served to maintain the godly society which the Reformers sought to establish. Although it is a history covering 15 centuries, Daniel finishes on a positive note as he views the future: ‘If Reformed Theology is the purest form of Biblical Christianity, then we can expect the Lord to bless it in the future’ (p.728). No student of Reformed theology or lover of church history should be without this book. Highly recommended!

John Harris

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