Easy Chairs, Hard Words (conversations on the Liberty of God)
by Douglas Wilson,
Published by Canon Press
149 pages
$15.00
Easy Chairs, Hard Words is a book that teaches reformed theology, specifically the five points of Calvinism, and aims to reveal the fallacy of Arminianism and Pelageism. Douglas Wilson does this in an uncanny fashion as he creates conversations between a young curious seeker of truth and a Pastor. Douglas Wilson himself says, “I have put most of truths into a fictional setting merely to make them more readable, and hence more understandable.” (pg.8) The book is very readable, and adds some warmth and humor throughout it, as Douglas Wilson uses his creativity and an artistic flair to make the meetings between the young man and Pastor most interesting.
The book begins with the young man who is part of a church that believes man can lose his salvation, and he has heard a lot of rumblings within his own congregation, talking about the Calvinist Church across the street. The young man is curious about this conspicuous church because they hold to such different teachings, especially the fact that they believe you can’t lose your salvation. So the young man decides to set up a time to meet with this Pastor, and one conversation turns into numerous visits. The book reads like fiction more than non-fiction because of the conversation between the two men. This was not a dry book on theology as the added character’s conversing, tackling hard questions, and thoughtful answers, allow the reader to feel like they are in the room learning with the young man.
Douglas Wilson’s strong points are exhibited in his readability, interest factor, and understanding of the topics discussed. Also, some of the explanations Douglas Wilson shares reveals his depth of insight in the Word of God. Furthermore, the book is only 149 pages which can be a read in a span of one or two weeks. Finally, the author puts extreme emphasis on the glory of God. He argues that everything God is doing is for His glory, instead of man’s. Douglas Wilson expands the reader’s view of God while placing us in our position as creation who are here to worship God.
The only drawback to this book is that those who come from the Arminian/Peligian (freewill) camp may feel slighted. The author makes it crystal clear that “diving down into the depths of grace,” is code for embracing and growing in reformed theology. The book is written from the notion that the young man came out of the freewill perspective and embraced the whole counsel of God’s Word, especially God’s sovereignty, which is intertwined in every area of the five points of Calvinism.
I thought Easy Chairs, Hard Words was a great read. I loved how Douglas Wilson turned theology into these great dialogues between the young man and the Pastor. The questions posed to the Pastor, and the responses were well thought out, and clearly answered. The reformed believer will say “amen” to everything Douglas Wilson says, while the freewill believer will be challenged with the arguments made by the author. It is important for all of us regardless of our theology to think and be challenged where we are at in our faith with Christ. This book magnifies and expands God’s glory as we are here for nothing but His glory!
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