Daniel Ne Landa said:

DAL, Do you know this book? Is a good one? 

No, I don't know the book, but from the first few pages I read it presents both views but in a subtle way attacks arminius and presents Calvinism as a position more in line with Scripture. I could be wrong, but won't know until I finish reading the whole book.

DAL

[8-|]

Spencer use to be a Methodist minister. He left the denomination because of its liberalism. He began a church in Texas. He was (now deceased) Reformed in his theology. The book is rather short but informative. He deals with the TULIP of Calvinism vs the 'he loves me, he loves me not,' of the daisy of Arminianism. He of course sides with Calvinism, but his approach is rather good having been on both sides of the issue. 

NB.Mick said:

One quote may be in order: 

"Arminianism is but a refinement of Pelagianism and the sophisticated reasoning of Erasmus. Later popularized by the Wesley brothers in England with great effect, Arminianism has come down into the twentieth century as the basis for modern evangelism of the masses."

NB.Mick's post reminds me of something I read in J.I.Packer's Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (sadly not available in Logos):

[quote]

It is instructive in this connection to ponder Charles Simeon’s account of his conversation with John Wesley on December 20, 1784 (the date is given in Wesley’s Journal):

“Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions… Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought of turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?”

“Yes,” says the veteran, “I do indeed.”

“And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?”

“Yes, solely through Christ.”

“But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?”

“No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last.”

“Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?”

“No.”

“What, then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother’s arms?”

“Yes, altogether.”

“And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?”

“Yes, I have no hope but in Him.”

“Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election, my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it. And therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things wherein we agree.”

Wonderous Grace said:

 vs the 'he loves me, he loves me not,' of the daisy of Arminianism. 

Can you please elaborate on this? Thanks!

Wonderous Grace said:

 

Five pts of Arminianism can be somewhat summarized using the flower: DAISY

Diminished depravity
Abrogated election
Impersonal atonement
Sedentary grace
Yieldable justification

Daniel Ne Landa said:

The book is available in Spanish. I loved reading this book!!! (My first language is spanish )

https://www.logos.com/product/28382/el-evangelismo-y-la-soberania-de-dios

Thanks for pointing this out. I've put the Spanish edition on my wish list. Now, if only Faithlife would include Spanish titles in next year's March Madness Sale... [:)]

TULIP and DAISY people going to think Christianity is flowery [:P]

Respectfully, the book was originally published around 1979, when there were more 5 pters. Additionally, he arguing the basic historical systems, not according as many may believe today; that is the Synod of Dort (1618/19) vs. the Remostrants (1610).

Jack Caviness said:

Wonderous Grace said:

Spencer use to be a Methodist minister. He left the denomination because of its liberalism. He began a church in Texas. He was (now deceased) Reformed in his theology. The book is rather short but informative. He deals with the TULIP of Calvinism vs the 'he loves me, he loves me not,' of the daisy of Arminianism. He of course sides with Calvinism, but his approach is rather good having been on both sides of the issue. 

Believe he must have grown up on a farm, as he loves to set up straw men. He may have once held those positions, but very few true Arminians would have agreed with him. 

Perhaps I should add that I do not consider myself to be fully in ether camp, more like a modified Calvinist. I just believe that we should be fair in our analysis of other people's viewpoints.

I highly recommend this book.

I have it in the original form (I believe) as it was published by Duane Spencer himself.

I bought a large set of books/booklets by Duane Spencer in 1974.

At that time I read them thoroughly.

I listened to his radio program back then on my shortwave radio. He was a tremendous speaker. I recall writing to him and he wrote back.

I still have all those booklets immediately at hand, next to my print copy of A. T. Robertson's six or so volumes of word studies.

Duane Spencer brought out much vital truth in his program which featured his own word studies from the Greek NT written for the benefit of ordinary English readers.

Anything you can find that he wrote should prove helpful. I don't agree with any author 100% unless it is a writer in the Bible itself, but Duane Spencer is really good.

MJ. Smith said:

Putting the comments of Wonderous Grace and NB Mick's post reminded me of a song by John Mooney:

"There's three side to every story
Yours mine and the whole darn truth"

(sorry, I'll not censor his language)