In the last “From the Horse’s Mouth” we asked 4 different scholars, “What book on election would you recommend and why?” Tom Schreiner, Ben Witherington, Graham Cole, and David Murray all gave an answer and here is what they had to say:

“I would select a book that is accessible to the ordinary person, and there are a number of good choices, but I would recommend Chosen for Life: A Case for Divine Election by Sam Storms. The book is biblical, clear, and shows why election matters.”

—Tom Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Of the older books, I would commend M. Barth’s majesterial commentary on Ephesians in which he makes clear that Calvin was wrong in his reading of texts like Ephesians 1.  Paul is talking about Christ the elect one and election is not the same thing as salvation. Christ did not need to be saved.  As for the means of salvation (as opposed to corporate election in Israel and then in Christ) Barth points out that it is by grace and through faith.  Of the more recent treatments I would point you to my Paul’s Letter to the Romans: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (Eerdmans) and perhaps the older theological monograph by Shank entitled Elect in the Son.”

—Ben Witherington, Professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary

“Robert A. Peterson, Election and Free Will: God’s Gracious Choice and Our Responsibility (P&R, 2007). This book is biblically faithful, pastorally helpful and theologically insightful.”

–Graham Cole, Anglican Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School

“Wherever I ask people how they came to embrace the Reformed faith, if the answer is not ‘through the teaching ministry of R C Sproul,’ then it’s usually, ‘through reading The Sovereignty of God by Arthur Pink.’ Both Sproul and Pink were mighty influences in my own life too, but it was Pink’s Sovereignty of God that finally breached my own natural Arminian defenses and humbled my heart to embrace the doctrine of election. Whereas Sproul’s teaching was much more ‘gentle’ and ‘reasonable,’ it was Pink’s rapid, rapier thrusts of biblical truth that I needed most at that time. I wouldn’t give The Sovereignty of God to everyone; in some cases Sproul’s more ‘diplomatic’ Chosen by God would be better. That is, if the doctrine of election can ever be ‘diplomatic’!”

–David Murray, Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Read other articles in the May issue of Credo Magazine, “Chosen by Grace”!

To view the Magazine as a PDF

Chosen by Grace

The biblical doctrine of election is offensive. It collides with our demand for human autonomy. It removes our will from the throne. And it exposes our nakedness, revealing us to be the sinners that we truly are, undeserving of divine grace and mercy. But when our eyes are opened to its glory, we begin to see that the doctrine of election leads us to worship, praise, and give thanks to our Sovereign Lord. We recognize that we, as sinners, deserve nothing less than eternal condemnation. And yet, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world! In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, not on the basis of anything we have done, but purely according to the purpose of his will (Eph 1:3-5). It is this doctrine of election that Paul says is to lead us to praise the glorious grace of God (Eph 1:6). Therefore, the title of this May’s issue of Credo Magazine is “Chosen by Grace.” Contributors include: Timothy George, Paul Helm, Matthew Barrett, Bruce Ware, Fred Zaspel, Greg Gilbert, Thomas Nettles, R. Scott Clark, David Murray, Thomas Schreiner, Graham Cole, Greg Forster, and many others.