The Wonderful Decree: Reconciling Sovereign Election and Universal Benevolence

Unconditionally loving. Sovereign over all.How can God be sovereign over all things and loving towards all people while His creatures possess real freedom and responsibility for their choices? Theologians have wrestled with this question for centuries. But have our attempted solutions made the problem worse?InWonderful Decree, Travis James Campbell suggests we cannot solve the problem by sacrificing either divine sovereignty and goodness on one hand or human responsibility on the other. While considering Arminian and Molinist alternatives, he concludes that the traditional Augustinian and Calvinist approach best allows these truths to remain in a healthy and biblically-faithful tension. Inspired by the example of Spurgeon, who preferred biblical mystery over human solutions, Campbell encourages readers to trust-even delight-in the harmony of God's love for all and sovereignty over all. Review The Wonderful Decree is an instructive study that marshals logic, Scripture, and theological history, even as it recounts personal pain and grace. It investigates the classic debate concerning the relationship of unconditional election and the Gospel?s expression of divine saving love. Whether or not you are convinced by Travis Campbell?s analysis, you will benefit from his readable scholarship and encouraged by his compelling testimony. ?Dr. Peter A. Lillback, president, Westminster Theological Seminary, PhiladelphiaI highly recommend this book to anyone who may question how a Thomistic metaphysics and a Reformed theology can (and should) go hand in hand in addressing pertinent issues of life. For others, who are not as concerned with conceptual issues per se, this book will open their eyes to the love of God in the face of life?s hardships. ?Winfried Corduan, Professor emeritus of Philosophy and Religion, Taylor University About the Author Travis James Campbell (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is a history teacher at Deerfield-Windsor School in Albany, GA, where he lives with his wife. They have one son who is now in college. Dr. Campbell also serves as a Ruling Elder at Northgate Presbyterian Church.