About the Book
The theological system known as Calvinism is often caricatured as harsh, dour, and illogical. But as Dr. Joel R. Beeke argues in this important new book, this image could not be further from the truth. Beeke, a pastor, educator, editor, and prolific author, shows instead that Calvinism is a theology that is firmly rooted in Scripture and works its way out into every area of the believer's life. He aims to "cover the intellectual and spiritual emphases of Calvinism, the way it influences the church and everyday living, and its ethical and cultural implications."
In this comprehensive survey of Reformed Christianity, Dr. Beeke and eight fellow contributors offer twenty-eight chapters that trace the history of Calvinism; explore its key doctrinal tenets, such as the so-called five points of Calvinism and the solas of the Protestant Reformation; reveal how Calvinists have sought to live in devotion to God; and survey Calvinism's influence in the church and in the world at large. In the end, the book asserts that the overriding goal of Calvinism is the glory of God. Saturated with Scripture citations and sprinkled with quotations from wise giants of church history, this book presents Calvinism in a winsome and wondrous fashion.
About the Author :
Dr. Joel R. Beeke serves as president and professor of systematic theology, church history, and omiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; a pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation; editor of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth; editorial director for Reformation Heritage Books; president of Inheritance Publishers; and vice president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society, all in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Review :
"Living for God's Glory is solid Christian truth in all its fullness, beauty, and strength. To study what is given so pleasantly here in these pages is to take a firm step toward becoming a clear-sighted and well-equipped student of theology. It will satisfy the appetite of believers, young and old. I wish I had had such a book in my hands when I was a young believer starting out on the journey to learn theology."
--Maurice Roberts
"Living for God's Glory is a very helpful and insightful introduction to Reformed Christianity. It demonstrates that Calvinism is not narrowly doctrinal, but broad and profound, speaking to every aspect of Christian life. It will inform and inspire Christians in biblical faithfulness."
--Dr. W. Robert Godfrey
"Dr. Joel Beeke has once again performed a great service for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. This book will profit every class of reader, from the new convert to the most mature believer. Dr. Beeke's style embodies the characteristics of experiential Calvinism on which he writes: every chapter is clear and addressed to the heart. I particularly found the chapter 'Applying the Word' to be a needed word for Calvinistic preachers in our day. Buy a copy for yourself and a number to give away."
--Joseph A. Pipa Jr.
"Finally--a book about Calvinism that covers the broad scope of the Calvinistic or Reformed movement. Calvinism affects the whole man: his head, his heart, and his hands. It has an intellectual or doctrinal dimension, as well as spiritual and practical dimensions. It influences not just the church but the culture. It is not confined to the Lord's Day, but impacts daily life. Calvinism is not a dead historic phenomenon, but a living view of God, man and Christ, sin and grace, time and eternity, and church and society. I hope this book will contribute to a revival of biblical, God-centered, and practical theology--that is, of Calvinism."
--Pieter Rouwendal
"It was a joy to read this excellent and useful book. In this volume, Joel Beeke--one of our best ambassadors for warm, winsome, experiential, solid, orthodox, passionate, evangelistic Calvinism--introduces us to a healthy, well-rounded view of the Reformed tradition--Calvinism as it really is. It presents us with the basics of the history of Calvinism and confessionalism, as well as the mainstream Calvinistic teaching on salvation, piety, growth, the church, preaching, evangelism, marriage, family, work, politics, ethics, doxology (the idea of living all of life for God's honor--from which this book gets its title), and more. The total picture presented here will help strengthen in our time confessional, experiential Calvinism--the great, central, Reformed tradition flowing out of the best of British (Puritan and Scottish) and Dutch (Further Reformation) Calvinism."
--J. Ligon Duncan III
"There seems to be a popular misconception afoot that Calvinism is an impressive intellectual structure, but that Reformed people must find resources elsewhere for practical piety. At the heart of Joel Beeke's ministry has been a burden to show the opposite conclusion, and this book has the same goal. Covering many important aspects of Calvinism, its practice as well as its faith, the book is written in a warm, pastoral, and engaging way."
--Dr. Michael Horton
"This book is rooted in the conviction that Calvinism is a gospel-centered, biblical theology for all of life. Drawing from his wide knowledge of Reformation and Puritan thought, and using his gift for illustrating biblical truth, Joel Beeke shows how God's grace is glorified in the believer's mind and heart, not only in the church, but also in the world."
--Philip Graham Ryken
