Saving Calvinism: Expanding the Reformed Tradition

For many Christians—regardless of tradition—Calvinism evokes the idea of a harsh God who saves a select few and condemns others to eternal torment. Others find comfort in the Five Points of TULIP with its emphasis on the sovereignty of God's grace.

In Saving Calvinism, Oliver Crisp proposes that both sides have too small a picture of the Reformed tradition and sets out to address the matter of forgotten roots by reacquainting modern Reformed readers with more of their theological heritage. Calvinism is not nearly as narrow, let alone narrow-minded as many contemporary Christians seem to think. Rather, it is a tradition alive with different voices and views. Reformed Christians have inherited a vast mansion, but many of them only live in two rooms, reading John Calvin and Jonathan Edwards on repeat, while the rest of the house lies waiting for someone to discover its treasures. Crisp posits that exploring more thoroughly the mansion that is Reformed theology will help Christians today live fuller, more effective, and more theologically informed lives.

Saving Calvinism explores some of the thorniest problems in the Reformed tradition, including free will, the extent of the atonement, and the possibility of universal salvation. By engaging a host of Reformed thinkers and exploring often ignored ideas, Crisp demonstrates that Calvinism is much more diverse and flexible than the stereotype suggests.