Predestination: The Combined Edition of Biblical Predestination and Predestination in the Old Testament

Rating:
Summary: A masterful explanation of biblical predestination.
Review: Aside from the Bible itself, this book had the greatest impact on my understanding of God's plan of salvation of any I have ever read. Written from the perspective of a 5-point Calvinist, Dr. Clark fully and faithfully examines the doctrine of biblical predestination.

Granted, this book is not easy reading! I kept a Bible and a dictionary close at hand (although some of you Ph.d types might not need the dictionary) whenever I opened it. But any "work" that went into the reading was more than amply rewarded with a rich understanding of this doctrine that seems to frighten and confuse so many Christians. Dr. Clark loaded the book with irrefutable, Scriptural justification for his position.

I could not recommend it more highly!

Rating:
Summary: Know What You're Reading
Review: Gordon H. Clark's Predestination is a combination of two works he wrote on the Doctrine of Predestination. Clark presents the Reformed doctrine well. The second half of the book, formerly published as Predestination in the Old Testament, is written as a polemic of Chapter 6 in the book Grace Unlimited (edited by Clark Pinnock). That chapter is also entitled Predestination in the Old Testament written by J.A. Clines.

Clark thoroughly examines passages of Scripture relating to the Doctrine of Predestination (even showing how other doctrines augment Predestiantion). One down-side of the book (which is present in almost all systematic theology) is that few, if any, of the opposing Scriptures are examined. Clark does interact with a few of the objections, though he relies heavily on John Gill when he does so. Another down-side is that he looks at Scripture to find Biblical fact, then makes assertions from those facts, then draws logical conclusions from the assertions. If he drew his conclusions from the facts his arguement would be much more convincing. But, he must draw the conclusions from the assertions to develop the doctrine as he does.

Clark packs this doctrine very tightly and writes very clearly. If one reads Clark without knowing the Bible well, one will likely believe that what he has written is what the Bible teaches. However, theology is not done in a vacuum. It seems that Clark does not see the implications of his doctrine on other doctrines. For example, Clark comments on the claim of Jesus that Jesus could call down thousands of angels to save Him if He chose to do so. Clark claims that Jesus could not have done so because His crucifixion was predestined. So, Clark's Jesus made a claim that was false (i.e., Clark has inadvertently made Jesus a liar).

Predestination is a tricky beast that must be handled with deft pen. Clark has addressed the topic thoroughly, but I am not convinced that he is right in his conclusions. For Clark, the Doctrine of Predestination is nothing less than aboslute determinism. Know what you're reading, but read it all the same. However, you should read it with your Bible and your eyes open.