Living for God's Glory

The theological system known as Calvinism is often caricatured as harsh, dour, and illogical. But as Dr. Joel R. Beeke argues in this important new book, this image could not be further from the truth. Beeke, a pastor, educator, editor, and prolific author, shows instead that Calvinism is a theology that is firmly rooted in Scripture and works its way out into every area of the believer’s life. He aims to “cover the intellectual and spiritual emphases of Calvinism, the way it influences the church and everyday living, and its ethical and cultural implications.”

In this comprehensive survey of Reformed Christianity, Dr. Beeke and eight fellow contributors offer twenty–eight chapters that trace the history of Calvinism; explore its key doctrinal tenets, such as the so–called five points of Calvinism and the solas of the Protestant Reformation; reveal how Calvinists have sought to live in devotion to God; and survey Calvinism’s influence in the church and in the world at large. In the end, the book asserts that the overriding goal of Calvinism is the glory of God. Saturated with Scripture citations and sprinkled with quotations from wise giants of church history, this book presents Calvinism in a winsome and wondrous fashion.

1. Opening Credits
2. Dedication
3. Foreword
4. Part 1: Calvinism in History
5. Chapter 1: The Origins of Calvinism
6. Chapter 2: Confessing the Faith
7. Part 2: Calvinism in the Mind
8. Chapter 3: The Marrow of Calvinism
9. Chapter 4: Total Depravity
10. Chapter 5: Uncodnitional Election
11. Chapter 6: The Extent of the Atonement
12. Chapter 7: Definite Atonement
13. Chapter 8: Irresistible Grace and Effectual Calling
14. Chapter 9: Perseverance and Assurance
15. Chapter 10: Scripture, Grace, Faith, Christ, and Glory
16. Chapter 11: Philosophical Calvinism - James Grier
17. Part 3: Calvinism in the Heart
18. Chapter 12: Cultivating the Spirit
19. Chapter 13: Calvin's God-Exalting Piety
20. Chapter 14: Sanctification in Puritan Thought
21. Chapter 15: Sanctification in Puritan Practice
22. Part 4: Calvinism in the Church
23. Chapter 16: Reforming the Church
24. Chapter 17: Foundation of Reformed Worship
25. Chapter 18: Roots of Reformed Preaching
26. Chapter 19: Applying the Word
27. Chapter 20: Calvin's Evangelism
28. Chapter 21: Puritan Evangelism
29. Part 5: Calvinism in Practice
30. Chapter 22: A Theology for All of Life
31. Chapter 23: The Puritan Marriage
32. Chapter 24: The Puritan Family
33. Chapter 25: Working for God's Glory
34. Chapter 26: Political Ministers of God
35. Chapter 27: Calvinist Ethics
36. Part 6: Calvinism's Goal
37. Chapter 28: Doxology
38. Closing Credits

Joel R. Beeke

Dr. Joel R. Beeke serves as a minister at the Heritage Reformed Congregation located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also holds the positions of editor for the Puritan Reformed Journal and the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth. In addition, Dr. Beeke is the editorial director for Reformation Heritage Books, the president of Inheritance Publishers, and the vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society.

Perhaps best-known of Dr. Beeke’s esteemed academic positions, however, is with Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, where he served the Body of Christ from the school’s founding in 1995 through 2023, when he then moved to the position of Chancellor, as well as teaching Systematic Theology and Homiletics as a beloved professor.

An expert on the Puritans, Joel Beeke was honored with a Fetschrift entitled Puritan Piety: Writings in Honor of Joel R. Beeke.