Predestined to Believe: Common Objections to the Reformed Faith Answered, 2nd ed.

by Adam Murrell

Publisher:

Resource Publications

, 2009

Overview

Adam Murrell examines common arguments against Calvinism, demonstrating that they are often the result of misunderstandings, faulty reasoning, or poor scriptural exegesis. Murrell starts from the premise that we, as a fallen people, need God to save us from our sins with his sovereignty and grace. He asserts that God’s sovereignty is not a barrier to Calvinism but a powerful support for it.

Key Features

• Offers insight into Reformed theology
• Examines the topic of predestination
• Explains the differences between Arminianism and Calvinism

Contents

• Note to the Reader
• The Doctrines of Grace Defined
• The God-Breathed Scriptures
• The Importance of God’s Sovereignty
• Isn’t Calvinism a Man-Made System?
• Why Should We Study a Topic that Divides Christians?
• John Calvin Murdered His Theological Enemies
• The Doctrines of Grace Are Not Historical
• Predestination Violates Man’s Free Will
• The Bible Does Not Teach the Doctrine of Man’s Total Depravity
• How Can God Find Fault with the Unsaved if He Preordained Everything?
• Predestination Discourages Good Morality
• Predestination Produces a Spirit of Elitism
• God’s Election Is Based on His Foreknowledge of Those Who Would Choose Him
• Calvinism Implies that God Created Evil
• Is Predestination the Same as Fatalism?
• Predestination Precludes Any Incentive for Evangelism
• Why Should Anyone Bother with Prayer?
• Predestination Precludes a Sincere Offer of the Gospel
• God Shows Favoritism in Election
• Election Makes God Unfair
• God Loves Everyone Equally without Discrimination
• Christians Can Lose Their Salvation
• The Bible Clearly Teaches that Jesus Died for Everybody
• Calvinism Denies God’s Freedom
• Is God’s Sadness in Genesis Six Proof that He Did Not Ordain Everything?
• Predestination Contradicts Universalistic Passages in the Bible
• Conclusion

Top Highlights

“To put it another way, free will is the ability to choose for ourselves—according to our strongest desire at the moment.” (Page 41)

“If our choices are not based on prior inclinations and come as the result of neutrality, then our choices come for no reason. Our actions would be mere spontaneous deeds conducted apart from desires, which would not carry any moral weight. They would neither be good or bad. The problem, however, is that God evaluates our choices based on our motives. He will not accept the answer that our sinful actions resulted from spontaneity.” (Page 39)

“The atoning work of Christ was not designed to make men savable, but rather, to purchase their salvation by His own blood (1 Pet. 1:18–19). While the work of the cross was sufficient for all, it was not efficacious for all.” (Page 8)

“Simply put, free will is ‘that by which the mind chooses any thing’.” (Page 41)

“Augustine addressed this very issue by saying that man has a free will—but lacks liberty. That is to say, fallen man has not lost his ability to make choices. Rather, it just means that when given the opportunity to make those choices he will choose according to the desire of his heart.” (Page 43)

Praise for the Print Edition

At a time when belief of Calvinism is constantly challenged, Adam Murrell responds to common objections to the Reformed faith. There are many Christians struggling to know the difference between Arminianism and Calvinism, and this theologically sound book reveals the truth and gives answers that are biblically centered. I would highly recommend this book as it is much needed for every Christian.

—Nick Bibile, founder, Agape Chapel Ministries

Predestined to Believe shows a good understanding of the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism and presents a concise biblical defense of the former. I do hope that it gets a wide circulation, and I believe that it will prove to be a blessing to the church.

—John Frame, professor of systematic theology and philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary

We were fortunate to have Adam Murrell attend our church while he was assigned to our local naval station. We discovered that he savors Reformed theology. He wants you to savor it too! This little book is a useful contribution toward achieving that goal.

—Randy Kimbrough, pastor, Moss Point Presbyterian Church, Moss Point, Mississippi

Product Details

• Title: Predestined to Believe: Common Objections to the Reformed Faith Answered
• Author: Adam Murrell
• Edition: Second Edition
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Print Publication Date: 2009
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 136
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Predestination; Providence and government of God; Calvinism
• ISBNs: 9781606088531, 160608853X
• Resource ID: LLS:PRDSTNDBLVC2NDD
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:22:09Z

About Adam Murrell

Adam Murrell is a graduate of Columbia College and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the president of a non-profit organization, a Bible teacher, and a United States naval officer. He has authored several other books, including Concise Fundamentalism, Essential Church History, and The Essence of the Christian Faith.