REBELS RESCUED
A student’s guide to reformed theology
By Brian Cosby
Christian Focus. 105 pages. £5.99
ISBN 978 1 781 910 863
The aim of this book is to provide a brief remix of reformed theology that will accessible to students.
The author is clearly an enthusiast for the task. The first four of the rather unwieldy five points of Calvinism; T.U.L.I.P (total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace and the perseverance of the saints) become respectively, Rebels at Heart, Elected by Love, For His Sheep, Mastered by Grace.
Any quibbles? Culturally, the book is very American. The reference to students in the subtitle might reflect a North American college student age group (our Sixth Form) rather than university, as here.
Theologically, I wonder about the perspective; in the first couple of chapters there are more references to Calvin than to Jesus. Might it be possible that Calvin would have been more than a little bemused by some of the attention he gets.
One line in the book indicates that the author has not quite caught the heart of either Calvin or Calvin’s Lord. Writing concerning John 14.2-3: ‘Jesus has “gone green” – he doesn’t waste any materials for rooms that won’t be filled!’. The picture of Jesus counting the fixtures and fittings at the checkout of B&Q does not quite capture the heart of the generous God who is the centre and glory of a true reformed theology.
My assessment is that this slim book will reassure the convinced but, because the tough questions and texts are not tackled, will do little to unsettle the sceptical. If we are not careful, reformed becomes deformed into an ice cool picture of a God who is incapable of displaying the lavish (almost wasteful) generosity displayed in Jesus.
