Synopsis "John Calvin Goes to Berkeley (in English)"
REVIEWS BY EARLY READERSI couldn't put it down. Several times I laughed out loud. One time I actually got mad at a character. That's not like me.-Roger Schiele, San Antonio, Texas One of the ten best books that I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Exciting, engaging, innovative, inspirational, and informative, all at once.- Jim Haesemeyer, Lubbock, TexasA "novel" and fascinating approach to a difficult topic. Compelling and easy to read, this book challenges the reader to examine in a non-superficial way what the Bible teaches about the controversial topics of predestination and election.-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. I kept having to wipe tears away as I read. I feel as excited and as enlightened as Alex when he discovered the truth.-Emily R. Knott, Madrid, SpainWhat a great way to discuss a difficult issue like predestination, which usually reminds me of working out at a mental bench press. The characters were like people I've known. The conversations were like ones I've had at church or after a Bible study.-Francisco Ramirez, Minneapolis, MinnesotaThis book challenged my thinking, hooking me into a well written story while carefully dissecting the Calvinist-Arminian debate. Compelling.-Chris Schroeder, Mt. Clemens, MichiganMy wife and I have worked with college students for the last ten years. They're always asking about Calvinism. We had almost given up on the possibility of a solid, scriptural response. This book-which I finished in one day-renewed our hope that this topic isn't beyond our grasp after all.-Brady Collier, Wolfforth, TexasEngaging. Reminded me of my college days. Though I do not agree with all of James McCarthy's theological conclusions, "John Calvin Goes to Berkeley" is a good portrayal of what happens when young Christians are committed to living for Christ and sharing the gospel with their fellow students.-Jeff Brown, Nuremberg, GermanyREVIEW OF BOOK SERIES TRAILERVery cool trailer. Gave me chills.-Youtube.com viewer.COPY ON BACK OF BOOKAlex Kim has a secret and he's certain that if the students of University Christian Fellowship had known it, they never would have elected him president. His hope was that if he did a good job and God blessed their ministry on campus, no one would care. That was before John Calvin came to Berkeley. Now Rod Sutherland, UCF's vice president, is on a crusade. He's trying to convince the others that Calvin was right about predestination: God has already decided who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. An increasing number of students agree with Rod. Jamie Alfono, the group's treasurer, isn't among them. "Anyone can accept Christ's offer of salvation," Jamie says. Angela León, a girl with a passion for truth, concurs. "God predestining babies to hell? I'm sorry; that can't be right." With UCF divided and ready to fold, Elliot, a doctoral student, proposes that they form a committee to solve the mystery of predestination once and for all. The others find that humorous, but after much discussion agree that Elliot is right. The only way to reunite the group and save UCF is for them to understand the true meaning of predestination. "If we figure it out," Jamie says, "we could win the Nobel Prize for Theology." If we don't, Alex thinks to himself, UCF is finished and my year as president is going to end in disaster . . . again.
