I thought I’d use my blog here to help answer someone who contacted me with the following question:
I am looking for a discipleship resource that leans towards Calvinism. I have one by Greg Ogden called Discipleship Essentials but I am not sure where he leans as it is published by Intervarsity Press, and I found my years at InterVaristy Fellowship to be anything but leaning towards Calvinism.
I can’t think of anything right now off the top of my head. Can any of you, my readers, help with this question? I think the answer may be a help to more of my readers than just the gentleman who is inquiring.
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Tags: discipleship, help, question, resources
Bob, we used this for years as a basic doctrinal introduction. Not sure what you’re trying to accomplish, though.
http://lesprouty.posterous.com.....l-doctrine
I have found the Bible to be a good resource. That appears cheeky, but my point is that I have not found any material completely suited to my needs. When I have wanted a study curriculum, I usually cobbled together from various resources (Navigators, Walterick Publishers, Willow Creek, etc.) regardless of theological background and edited for my own purposes.
My best efforts have come in two directions:
1) Go through Scripture inductively and address the topics as they arise in the text.
2) Start with a well-known statement of faith (I have used both the Nicean Creed and Heidelberg Catechism) and study through them.
The first method will cover spiritual disciplines as you go along; the second may need supplemental instruction in those areas depending on what you use.
And as a final disclaimer: I am not a Calvinist, so take my comments accordingly.
Les,
That looks promising, thanks.
Steve,
No problem on being an official Calvinist…. The question directly asked for Calvinist leaning resources. Your approach sounds good. I have no problems with you not being Calvinist, it took me a long time to become comfortable with the label.
Blessings in Christ,
Bob
I cannot think of anything better than Paul Washer’s “One True God” and the “Truth about Man”
There is nothing better than a good solid understanding of the character nature and attribute of the Triune God.
There is nothing more humbling than a good biblical does depths of the depravity of man.
Thanks David. Are those books to read or discipleship materials to go through? Obviously going through a book one-on-one together with someone else is virtually the same as using a discipleship course or something.
Thanks for the recommendation.
Bob
Bible + Westminster Standards + Calvin’s Institutes.
Sorry Justin, I just had this passing image in my head. “Oh, you just trusted Christ and received baptism. Here: read Calvin, see me in a month….”
In all seriousness, I like the use of the Westminster Confession of Faith as a manual to walk through with someone, and you can certainly draw from Calvin.
Thanks for dropping by!
Bob
*: )…*: )
ROFL
I was chuckling too….
Bob,
We are using “Fundamentals of the Faith” from Grace (http://www.gbibooks.com/Detail.....0802438409). I also really like the products coming from Matthias Media in Australia. Good stuff. (http://www.matthiasmedia.com/index.php)
Brian
Thanks Brian, that is really helpful. I recommend the online gospel presentation MatthiasMedia uses. Looks like they have other good resources too. And MacArthur’s Fundamentals of the Faith, I’m sure is good.
Thanks again,
Bob
Bob,
Those are more work book type material. It is almost entirely scripture so there is VERY LITTLE commentary. I am normally a fan of the Bible alone, but I would highly recommend these.
You can get them at http://www.monergismbooks.com and http://www.heartcrymissionary.com or http://www.grantedministries.com
whoops that is http://www.grantedministries.org
Thanks David. This looks good.
I often use Shaeffer’s book as guideline!! It is well done, Calvinistic, but also doesn’t turn dispensationalists off.
Peer Daddy,
Are you referring to Francis Schaeffer’s 25 Basic Bible Studies? I’m not totally certain which resource you’re recommending here.
Thanks,
Bob
Yes! Our entire church went through it a few years back and it was a good journey through basic doctrine!
http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Bi.....=1-1-spell