Before your young adults become indoctrinated in Calvinism, get them a copy of John Calvin Goes to Berkeley.
The story of five University of California students who try to solve the mystery of predestination, this book prepares the reader for crusading Calvinists and their many proof-texts. Entertaining and informative, it is unlike any Christian novel you have ever read. Inspired by real events, it is both fiction and non-fiction, providing a real-life solution to a mystery that has baffled theologians for centuries. Authored by James G. McCarthy-producer of the popular video documentary Catholicism: Crisis of Faith and several books on Catholicism, including The Gospel According to Rome-this new book simplifies one of the most difficult topics of our day and provides the reader with a balanced biblical understanding of predestination.
How important is this? Despite good books such as Dave Hunt's What Love Is This?, the Calvinistic understanding of election and predestination continues to spread in evangelical churches, particularly among young adults. Even TIME Magazine has taken notice. In its March 12, 2009, feature article titled "10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now," TIME listed Calvinism as number three, crowning it "Evangelicalism's latest success story." The article quotes Ted Olsen, a managing editor at Christianity Today, as saying, "Everyone knows where the energy and the passion are in the Evangelical world"-Calvinism. The article names three of its chief proponents: "pioneering new-Calvinist John Piper of Minneapolis, Seattle's pugnacious Mark Driscoll, and Albert Mohler, head of the Southern Seminary of the huge Southern Baptist Convention." The article goes on to report that "the Calvinist-flavored ESV Study Bible sold out its first printing, and Reformed blogs like Between Two Worlds are among cyber-Christendom's hottest links."
What can you do help stop the spread of Calvinism? Read John Calvin Goes to Berkeley and ask the leaders of your church to read it. Purchase several copies and put them into the hands of youth workers and young adults before they get swept up in this fast-growing movement. This book will convince you once again that the Bible has the answers to all of life's questions, including the relationship between divine election and human freewill.
"A 'novel' and fascinating approach to a difficult topic. Compelling and easy to read, this book challenges the reader to examine...what the Bible teaches about the controversial topics of predestination...." —George Sturm, Pogradec, Albania
"The evening I started, I couldn't stop reading until three in the morning. The way the author presented God, his grace and love to sinners, and his plans and blessings for those in Christ, moved me to worship." —Emily R. Knott, Madrid, Spain
"This book challenged my thinking, hooking me into a well-written story.... Compelling." —Chris Schroeder, Mt. Clemens, Michigan