Endorsements of Evangelical Inclusivism

Received Friday, January 11 from Don Hawley who has an extensive email ministry:

 “This will be one of the most important publications of our time.  Not necessarily an easy read, but clear.  I absorbed his previous book What's Good About the Good News? and it changed my entire perspective about salvation—while answering many questions I had never been able to resolve.”

The following endorsements relate to the book What's Good About the Good News?  A Theology of Inclusivism, with a FOREWORD by Richard J. Mouw (President of Fuller Theological Seminary), is based upon the same biblical facts:

Dr. F. F. Bruce: “I read your book What’s Good About the Good News? with great interest. Your position is very much my own. The seven couplets in your book command my emphatic agreement.

Your exposition of the subject is thoroughly in line with the insight: ‘Admittedly Christ is much more powerful to save than Adam was to ruin.’

I wish your work a wide circulation; it will stimulate much fresh thought on this important subject.”

Dr. Henry Stob: “This book is stimulating, instructive, and true to the gospel. Neal Punt is to be commended for opening up the Scriptures in a new and exciting way.”

Dr. Lewis Smedes: “ I want to tell you that I admire what you are doing and am thankful for it. You are rescuing us from dogmatic determinism and saving us from presumptuous universalism. Your mission is needed and can only do us much good.”

Dr. Neal Plantinga, Jr.: “What’s Good About the Good News? presents a generous and thoughtful perspective on the gospel. More important, it offers a spacious and impressive portrait of God. My impression is that it has already done some good in provoking fresh thinking about the ways and means of salvation—and especially about the character of God.”

Dr. Lester DeKoster: “Pastor Neal Punt has skillfully shifted the focus of a long disputed doctrine in his What’s Good About The Good News? He has made what is too often speculative theology into a pastoral admonition applicable to all. Salvation is validated in obedience to the will of God; this is the fruit of election. Disobedience is the deliberate and willful rejection of God’s will. Persistent disobedience finds its ultimate consequence in damnation.

“Except for such as persistently defy God’s will, the Bible teaches that Christ’s atoning sacrifice is for all. Thus in Punt’s hands the old election/reprobation tension is resolved into a positive call for the truly Christian life.”

Dr. Edward Wm. Fudge: "Are people lost unless saved, or saved unless lost? Neal Punt offers compelling scriptural evidence for the second statement.  This simple (but profound) shift in vision magnifies God's grace, highlights Christ's atonement, encourages evangelism, helps bridge the gap between Calvinists and Arminians and generates an authentic welcoming spirit toward those who do not yet know Christ.  Biblical Universalism is a study that will enrich your heart and mind."

Dr. Alexander C. DeJong: "When one tries to explicate with theological precision the gracious character, the God-glorifying content, the eschatological urgency of gospel preaching, together with the biblical warrant for that preaching, he understakes a demanding task.   Punt adds a fresh, important, and attractive dimension to the continuing discussion.  We owe it to ourselves to consider seriously this unique contribution of Rev. Punt."

Pastor Robert J. Wieland: “This Good News premise comes across from Punt’s pages like a fresh wind that almost take one’s breath away. But the Biblical evidence which he marshals is impressive, and strongly suggests that the apostles turned their world upside down with a Gospel that contained considerably better Good News than our version of it convey today.

“Here is a book that will challenge keen theologians; but it is so clearly and simply written that it will also warm the hearts of lay readers. That too is very good news.”

Dr. Richard Mouw,  President of Fuller Seminary: "For helpful comments on all of the few-versus-many passages, in support of the idea of divine generosity, see Neal Punt, What's Good About the Good News, the Plan of Salvation in a New Light." Northland Books, pp. 87-92; Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport, Zondervan Books, 2004, p. 130.

Rev. John A. De Kruyter: “Thanks so much for the gift of your recent book, So Also In Christ. I sat right down and read it all in one setting, something I rarely do. I found it intriguing, personally challenging, and a great blessing. You did a magnificent job, communicating very well and making your points with your usual effectiveness.

Again, thanks loads for sending your book. It was good to read. It was a blessed experience."

Dr. James A. Ayars: "I would like to recommend a book to you. It will greatly enrich how you view your fellow mankind. It is entitled 'What's Good About the Good News?' by Neal Punt.

This author has done something that no one else has been able to do for over 1500 years. He has resolved one of the most difficult dilemmas faced by Christian theologians throughout all of those years - from Augustine, through John Calvin to John Wesley and finally even to Seventh Day Adventists.

He points out that from Augustine to the present most Christians have made a false assumption about mankind in general, an assumption which is not taught in the Bible anywhere. He then brings to view the real biblical assumption and contrasts it with the false and draws some significant conclusions about the implications of both the false and the true.

You owe it to yourself to read this book. He has also written a more technical version of it entitled, 'Unconditional Good News.' If you want a more extensive study of this subject you should read this other book too, in which author Punt examines in greater detail how the false assumption, in contrast to the true, has affected the writings of theologians for centuries."

Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff: “I would myself prefer putting the situation your way, ‘All persons are elect in Christ except those who the Bible declares will be lost.’”

Dr. David N. Ashton: “This book offers some valuable insights toward helping resolve the Calvinistic-Arminian bifurcation on the issue of personal salvation, as well as moving us toward a far more optimistic attitude toward the fate of humanity, without falling into the fallacy of absolute universalism.

“I heartily recommend this book for reading and discussion throughout the Church of Jesus Christ.”

Russ Squier - Squier is President of "Fitness Products International," living in Palmdale , California published in the "Highly Recommended" reading list in Adventist Review (6/7/01):

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"What's Good About The Good News?" by Neal Punt , Northland Books, 1988

"Powerful Good News," by Robert Wieland, Glad Tidings Publisher, 1993

Is it possible that many are longing to accept God?

On the other hand, is it possible that some hearts are hard because of the message heard from us? Have they yet to hear about "agape" salvation that is inclusive, about a God who is for them, not against them? Is God hidden because what we call "good news" hasn't been entirely good?

 

These two books suggest that the "news" is far better than generally imagined.

Punt offers a broader, balanced picture of God's love and justice. Wieland shares passionately that Adventists should have a powerful, inclusive worldview of salvation by a loving God.

 

While I doubt that these two authors ever intended their writings to be considered together, for me they have eternally altered my view of God, my confidence in His character, and my humble desire to imperfectly trust Him for eternity.

If God is at all like the One reflected in these two books, I want to be with Him for eternity, and with all those who call Him their king.

Russ Squier

See Also Posting # 12 Positive Responses