“Why I Am Not an Arminian”, by Robert A. Peterson and Michael D. Williams was written as a response to “Why I Am Not a Calvinist, by Jerry Walls. My understanding is that the authors would really have liked to call it “Why I am a Calvinist”, but went with the above title at the request of those who wanted to highlight the contrast with the previously written Jerry Walls book.
Nevertheless, I now have the book and have finished reading it. It might be the best and most gracious explanation of the differences between both theological systems. I’ve read and collected a lot of material discussing both systems and this might be the most thoughtful and easy to understand source I have come across to date!
Here is the Amazon summary and a short review:
From Amazon.com:
“Arminian theology is sweeping through the evangelical churches of North America. While most Arminians are good, sincere, orthodox Christians, authors Robert A. Peterson and Michael D. Williams contend that aspects of Arminian thought are troubling both biblically and theologically. In particular, they argue, Arminians have too lofty a view of human nature and an inadequate understanding of God’s sovereign love in Christ.
‘Why I Am Not an Arminian’ explores the biblical, theological and historical background to the Calvinist-Arminian debate. The irenic nature and keen insight of this book will be appreciated by lay people, pastors and scholars alike.”
Another review offered:
“Peterson and Williams write with a grace which goes far deeper than their commendable style. The authors’ Arminian conversants are fairly represented from their best literature and answered with impeccable arguments which are scripturally compelling, philosophically and historically exacting, and gracefully irenic. ‘Why I Am Not an Arminian’ is a book that you can get your head and your heart around–and be graced!”
The authors, Robert A. Peterson and Michael D. Williams are both on the faculty at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
The Battle Cry 
Thank you for this review!
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You are quite welcome! I was impressed. It was completely void of any polemics, just filled with sound reasoning based on a lot of scripture we are very familiar with. It would be my first choice for anyone asking me about a good book explaining the two systems!
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Wow I really got to read this sometime
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Is there more choices other than the two listed? I’m a Christian that doesn’t believe in either one mentioned. So what does that make me?
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You missed the point, Ed. The book wasn’t about whatever other systems of soteriology might be floating around. It was a comparison between two.
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I got the point, Dan. I’m just wondering if there are others that you guys refuse discuss, and what you think about those. With you guys, the debate is between the two, and palag…however that’s spelled, or semi palag… however that’s spelled. I read them all, and I’ll like, dude, I don’t agree with any of them. But is those the only options in your belief system? Every time I debate a Calvinist, those words pop up, and your average Christian has no idea what the heck anyone is even talking about. That’s what those dead people believed, not is alive people. Do you see my point? Those beliefs are illogical to the average Christian who only knows bible without commentaries.
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Given your use of ‘you guys, and claiming to ‘have read them all, while apparently not knowing how spell a couple of relevant terms, I’ll pass on trying to answer your question. The book I talked about would be a great study for anyone interested in the discussion.
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What if all I wanna talk is bible alone?
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That’s what the book is about – a close examination of the Bible relative to two thought systems. Why not just get it and read it?
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