A former Calvinistic Reformed Baptist minister and now Director
of Apologetics and Professor of Theology, recounts his
theological journey in and out of Calvinism. In so doing, Dr.
Flowers’ sets out to help his readers understand a
non-Calvinistic “Traditional” Southern Baptist interpretation of
the most quoted and relied upon chapters for defending
Calvinistic soteriology: Romans 8-9; Ephesians 1 and John 6. "In
The Potter’s Promise, Dr. Leighton Flowers reveals, by means of a
refreshingly clear and persuasive writing style, the theological
and philosophical arguments that compelled him to abandon his
previously held Calvinistic convictions. While some
Traditionalists have a tendency to avoid certain Bible verses,
Dr. Flowers tackles them fearlessly, placing them in their proper
context in a manner consistent with the entirety of God’s Word.
Calvinists have sometimes been known to object to Traditional
writers and thinkers by making the cl, “You just don’t
understand Calvinism.” Any such charge leveled against Dr.
Flowers rings hollow. Having heard all the arguments Calvinism
has to offer, he nevertheless disaffirms it. Every Calvinist
needs to read this book to challenge their thinking and consider
the other side. Every Traditionalist needs to read this book to
become better equipped in defending their own view of salvation
doctrine." -Dr. Rick Patrick, Executive Director of Connect 316
and Senior Pastor “Confused by the issues surrounding Calvinism?
Does Romans 9 teach unconditional predestination? Want to cut
through some of the red tape? Then read Leighton’s book. He is
charitable but gets right to the point, making a strong, biblical
case for a God who is glorified by sacrificing Himself for
creation and not by sacrificing creation for Himself. He makes a
strong case for the God of Jesus Christ.” - Austin Fischer,
Pastor and Author of Young, Restless, No Longer Reformed. “Some
passages (especially Romans 9) appear to support Calvinism, but
does God really predestine particular persons for heaven or hell?
And where is the knowledgeable expositor who also possesses an
irenic disposition to answer such critical questions? Leighton
Flowers nobly meets these qualifications and approaches the
Scripture with a passion for the original language and context.
We are all deeply in his debt for teaching us to hear God's Word
so much better than we did before this book was written. Highly
recommended.” -Dr. Malcolm B. Yarnell III, Research Professor of
Systematic Theology, Author of God the Trinity: Biblical
Portraits and Royal Priesthood in the English Reformation and The
Formation of Christian Doctrine "The Potter’s Promise is the
fascinating pilgrimage of Leighton Flowers, Director of
Apologetics and Youth Evangelism in the Baptist General
Convention of Texas. Chronicled here is his journey out of
Calvinism and into a New Testament faith through the saving grace
of our Lord. This may well be the most important volume published
this year for the reading of every young servant of Christ. Do
you have the courage to read it?" –Dr. Paige Patterson, President
of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary “Having vacated
theological Geneva after years as one of its finest citizens, Dr.
Leighton Flowers is well aware of how to reason like a Calvinist.
His masterful of the biblical text, and his
philosophically consistent reasoning, is sure to satisfy the
pallet of the academically interested. Yet, his accessible
writing leads to a rare accomplishment. Lay readers will have no
difficulty understanding the Calvinist positions and the best
responses to them. Any related bibliography that does not include
Dr. Flowers masterful work will, henceforth, surely look odd.” –
Dr. Braxton Hunter, President of Trinity Seminary