Mere Calvinism

Jim Scott Orrick (MA, University of Memphis; MDiv, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; PhD, Ohio University) is professor of literature and culture at Boyce College.

"Some people make it sound like you need a college degree to understand the Bible. Orrick presents profound theology in a simple, clear and thoroughly Scriptural way."
Many treatments of the Calvinistic TULIP are worthy of careful reading. This one by Jim Orrick, in my opinion, has characteristics that stand out a bit beyond these other worthy expositions. Not only does Dr. Orrick give great clarity to the doctrines themselves and show their necessary connections and internal coherence, but his plain and clear biblical exegesis is gripping and woven into the doctrinal narrative in a form that elevates the reader’s attention and gives fluidity to the story-line. I choose that word purposefully, for this book reads like a good story, incorporating a literary artfulness rare in this subject matter. Orrick’s personal crafts and knowledge of a wide range of human art—from hunting, to bee-keeping, to tanning animal skins for the purpose of making clothes, to production of works of literature, et al—are all put to the task of arresting interest and increasing the clarity of these deeply theological expositions. His reflections on the quantitative element in the atonement just might be the best in print.
Jim Orrick has written a book explaining Calvinism in a way that is simple, but not simplistic. By that I mean it is easy to read, but not shallow. He conveys biblical truth so simply that anyone can understand it, but so perceptively that even those well-taught in these doctrines will discover many fresh insights. This book is winsome without being sentimental. Orrick’s homespun style reads like a neighbor talking with you over a mug of coffee while the two of you sit by the fireplace, and his tone is that of a kind and earnest friend. This Scripture-saturated book would be a great gift to someone as an introduction to Calvinism, or an excellent choice for a small group to read together, or an edifying selection for individual reading. 
As a pastor, I sometimes cringe at the mention of Calvinism because of the amount of misinformation about it and the bad examples of it. This creates unnecessary controversy about beliefs that should bring encouragement and unity. You will not find any of that in Dr. Orrick’s book. He explains each doctrine with patience and clarity. In the book, he so aptly illustrates the doctrines that even my young sons could understand it when I read it aloud to them. If you are looking for a clear explanation of Calvinism that is neither condescending nor overly academic, this book will greatly benefit you.