Dr. John Fesko to Publish New Book

(JACKSON, Miss.) — Arminius and the Reformed Tradition: Grace and the Doctrine of Salvation by Dr. J. V. Fesko is scheduled for release in July 2022. Dr. Fesko is the Harriet Barbour Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at RTS Jackson.

Dr. Fesko shared the inspiration behind the book, saying, “I explore the theology of Jacob Arminius in an effort to understand what he taught so that I would listen carefully to those who have different opinions about the doctrine of salvation. In our present culture that is quick to cancel what we do not like, it’s important to listen to dissenting opinions and weigh them fairly and carefully. I hope that RTS students and all scholars would be quick to listen and, therefore, slow to speak not only when dealing with others, but even in reading books!”

In the book, Dr. Fesko carefully examines the life and writings of theologian Jacob Arminius as he held to the basic tenets of Reformed soteriology. Dr. Fesko assesses Arminius’s writings on topics like predestination, effectual calling, union with Christ, and perseverance. He aims to demonstrate that Arminius presents an alternative Protestant conception of soteriology that differs from the traditional Reformed view.

In an endorsement of the book, Dr. Harrison Perkins, who serves as the associate pastor of London City Presbyterian Church and visiting lecturer in systematic theology at Edinburgh Theological Seminary, said, “J. V. Fesko has repeatedly shown himself to be an expert interpreter of the Reformed tradition’s history on both the doctrinal and contextual fronts. In this insightful volume on Jacob Arminius, he applies that same care to one of the classic foils of Reformed theology, giving nuanced exposition to Arminius’s thought on the nature of divine grace and our salvation and exploring how Arminius developed his views even from within the context of a Reformed church and university.”

Arminius and the Reformed Tradition: Grace and the Doctrine of Salvation is available for pre-order from Reformation Heritage Books. It will ship in July 2022.