Robert E. Picirilli

This is the best book on soteriology I have read, especially from a true Arminian perspective. In fact, Picirilli, a prominent Free Will Baptist theologian, calls this theology "Reform Arminianism." Any Calvinist reading this review just cringed. A Presbyterian buddy of mine exclaimed: "There's no such thing! That's an oxymoron." Is it? Calvinists, I say, have hijacked the "Reform" label, excluding even the first reformer from the Reform club: Luther. But, I digress. Picirilli has crafted an excellent tome on the differences between Calvinism and Free Will Baptist Arminianism. Some Calvinists may scoff at his characterizations of their faith, but he is scrupulous in quoting Calvinist authors and laying out the Calvinist position. What really makes the Calvinists howl is that he follows up on the consequences of TULIP, namely that salvation is not by faith, but salvation is by election. Any Calvinists reading will say: "That's not what we say!" And, they're right. Calvinists don't say that, but that's what follows from their logic. "Logic?!?" they say, "We don't go by philosophy, we go by the Bible!" Not really, Picirilli makes that point. "It's you Arminians that don't follow the Bible!" Crap. Picirilli has laid out a most persuasive case for the original Arminianism of Arminius and the first Free Will Baptists and General Baptists that has the Bible as its backbone. Imagine, an Arminianism that defends:

* total depravity
* the sovereignty of God
* God's perfect foreknowledge of all, including the free choices of men
* a penal satisfaction view of a general atonement
* salvation by grace through faith alone, from beginning to end
* an apostasy that cannot be remedied

This is news to those who think Arminianism is right next to Unitarian Universalism, who think Arminius is the root of all liberal theology, or who think that the Wesleyan way is the only Arminian way there is. No.

Not much here on other Free Will Baptist doctrines, like credo-baptism or foot-washing - this is a book about salvation. Picirilli scrupulously cites his sources in, thank the Lord, FOOTNOTES! At the end of each chapter there are suggested readings with some helpful notes attached. I wish there was a comprehensive bibliography at the end, however. There are four indices: a scripture index, a subject index, an Arminius cite index, an index of citations from other authors. Quite helpful.

A great book.… (altro)