Does God Love Everyone?: The Heart of What's Wrong with Calvinism

Does God truly love all persons? Most Christians think the obvious answer to this question is, "Yes, of course he does " Indeed, many Christians would agree that the very heart of the gospel is that God so loved the whole world that he gave his Son to make salvation available for every single person. This book shows that one of the most popular and resurgent theological movements in the contemporary evangelical church--namely, Calvinism--cannot coherently and consistently affirm this vital claim about the love of God. While some Calvinists forthrightly deny that God loves everyone, more commonly Calvinists attempt to affirm the love of God for all persons in terms that are compatible with their doctrines that Christ died only for the elect--those persons God has unconditionally chosen to save. This book shows that the Calvinist attempts to affirm God's love for all persons are fraught with severe philosophical and theological difficulties. Calvinism, then, should be rejected in favor of a theology that can forthrightly and consistently affirm the love of God for all persons. Nothing less is at stake than the very heart of the gospel. "Walls gets to heart of the matter when he asks, 'What does it say about a theological system if many of those who believe it doubt whether God loves unbelievers? Do we have good news for everyone? Is there a message of hope for all persons? Can we honestly preach to all unbelievers that God loves them?' Calvinism, applied logically, cannot answer these questions in a way that is consistent with the scriptures." --Leighton Flowers, Director of Youth Evangelism for Texas Baptists "The movement loosely known as Calvinism has emerged as a vibrant and powerful force within evangelical Protestantism. Jerry Walls, in turn, has emerged as the most forceful and rigorous critic of Calvinism. In this short and readable book, he puts his theological knowledge and philosophical acumen to work in making a biblical and logical case that Calvinism is beset with real difficulties. Does God Love Everyone? raises some sharp challenges that deserve serious engagement." --Tom McCall, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School "Arguably the greatest service this volume offers is a solid response to the busy ministry leader who is asking, 'So, what's the big fuss over Calvinism?' Does God Love Everyone? provides understandable answers to that contemporary question. Those Christian faith traditions, who have historically embraced a vibrant evangelistic effort, will appreciate the clear observations Walls provides for keeping their commitment to effectively reach 'all the people, ' with the gospel, on sturdy theological ground." --Byron D. Klaus, Former President, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary "Walls demonstrates biblically and philosophically the 'heart of what's wrong with Calvinism' while maintaining an irenic spirit. Everyone concerned about truth, evangelism, and the honor of God ought to read this book, especially if they are not yet settled in their mind about the Calvinist 'doctrines of grace.'" --Roger E. Olson, Professor of Theology, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University "This slim volume represents a brilliant critique of the heart of Calvin's theology. It is fair in exposition, economical in structure, and devastating in content. Contemporary Calvinists will have to go back to the drawing board to deal with this intellectual blitzkrieg. Game on " --William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University