10 Lessons from Hand In Hand, by Randy Alcorn

Hand in Hand: The Beauty of God’s Sovereignty and Meaningful Human Choice by Randy Alcorn

My pastor recommended that I read this book, so that always moves it to the top of the list. Alcorn does a thorough and charitable explanation of Calvinism, Arminianism, and the unorthodox beliefs that stem from their far extremes. If you have ever found yourself asking questions like: “do my choices really matter if God is in control of every detail?” or “if God is in control of all things why doesn’t he stop evil?” or “what in the world is Calvinism?” then this is a fantastic book for you to read. Alcorn explains the differences, the similarities, but more importantly he highlights what scripture says about God's sovereignty and human choice. The author is not pushing an agenda, he is fighting for the reader to believe what the Bible says, all of it, not just some verses we like. I learned a great deal, and here are 10 of those lessons.

Look for common ground first

I admire the spirit of anyone who starts by looking for common ground; sometimes you’ll find a great deal more than you expect.

We live in a polarized world, especially within the church. I’ve met both Calvinists and Arminians who belittle the other camp. Too often we forget that we are adopted children of the same Father, who share the same table. I love this story. John Wesley was the Arminian superstar of his day, and George Whitefield the Calvinist. Wesley said this:

“Do not misunderstand me, madam,” Wesley continued. “George Whitefield was so bright a star in the firmament of God’s glory, and will stand so near the throne, that one like me, who am less than the least, will never catch a glimpse of him.”

God is sovereign and we make choices for which we are accountable

God is sovereign, a fancy word that means he is the supreme ruler with all the power. God, according to scripture is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-good, and he is everywhere. I am free to choose to obey him right now, and free to sin. God is in control though, so even when I purposely disobey him, his will is still accomplished and I still have to give an answer for my actions. These two truths are not independent of each other, rather they go “hand in hand.”

The God of the Scriptures is so big, wise, and powerful that he can grant truly meaningful and real choices to angels and humans alike, in a way that allows them to act freely, within their finite limits, without inhibiting his sovereign plan in any way—and indeed using their meaningful choices, even their disobedience, in a significant way to fulfill his sovereign plan.

The more I learn the less I realize I know

One of the reasons I like to read books like this is to always be in a state of learning. Reading is a humbling process, as it convinces my prideful heart that I am no expert on any subject and I have much to learn of the living God.

Modern believers have a bad habit of acting as if the Christian faith began with us, with the result that we end up doing “theology on the fly,” ignoring a few thousand years of Christian history as if not much of importance was learned. We tend to be guilty of what C. S. Lewis called “chronological snobbery,” the flawed belief that newer ideas are always better than old ones.

Both Calvinism and Arminianism fall under orthodoxy

Whatever side you’re on, know that the opposite view is still orthodox Christianity. It is the extremes of both views that are unorthodox:

most doctrinal heresies are misguided attempts to push an orthodox position to its logical conclusions while failing to affirm with equal vigor a corresponding but apparently contradictory biblical teaching.

Both Calvinists and Arminians believe that people are sinful by nature and need God’s grace to respond to the gospel

Calvinists believe in “total depravity,” meaning we are dead and unable to chose God on our own. Arminians believe we are dead in our sins, but God grants prevenient grace to all and it is up to them to decide to chose him or reject him.

Hard Determinists, Libertarians, and Compatibilists

Hard determinists, or hyper-calvinists, believe that every human choice has been predetermined by God, but the creatures are still responsible for their actions. Libertarians believe we have the power to make choices contrary to God’s will.

God’s sovereignty means he’s not accountable to anyone, but is free to grant liberty to creatures however he chooses, and he chooses to grant them considerable power. God does what he wants, but not everything that happens is what God wants.

Compatibilism, or soft determinism, believes they coexist. While God’s moral will is broken every time we sin, his ultimate sovereign will is always accomplished.

Compatibilists believe God is free to overrule creatures’ choices but is also free to choose not to, whenever he can accomplish his sovereign plan through their freely made choices, right or wrong.

Calvinists and Arminians both believe in evangelism

Spurgeon, widely opposed by Arminians because of his staunch Calvinism, not only preached the gospel in church but his congregation took the gospel to the streets and homes of London more aggressively than any Arminian church of his time.

Christian, Jesus said go and make disciples, so evangelism is a command and not a suggestion. If you are a Calvinist, there is great confidence because God does the saving. If you are an Arminian, there is confidence that God has offered prevenient grace to all people to be able to chose him.

God allows or even brings pain into our lives

God does not want his children to remain as they are. C.S. Lewis writes in Mere Christianity that God is making us perfect, not just a little better. In order to refine us, God “allows (or sometimes brings) pain in our lives to help us become the people he desires us to be.”

2 Corinthians 12:7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Be willing to have “leaks” and inconsistencies in your theological system, but be unwilling to reject portions of Scripture

This was the biggest lesson I learned from the book. Scripture always wins.

William Symington wrote, “Our object should not be to have Scripture on our side but to be on the side of Scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation.”
“Charles Simeon wrote, “When I come to a text which speaks of election, I delight myself in the doctrine of election. When the Apostles exhort me to repentance and obedience, and indicate my freedom of choice and action, I give myself up to that side of the question.”

Read books written by the other team

Calvinists, read What the Bible Says About God the Ruler by Jack Cottrell.

Arminians, read Trusting God by Jerry Bridges.