The Cure: A Physician Reflects on Reformed Theology 2Nd Edition

By Thomas J. Kessler D. O.

The doctrines of grace have sparked debate as well as inspiration since the beginning of the Reformation. For their proponents, they form the foundation of orthodox belief. For their critics, they represent an assault on free will and the nature of man. Known more commonly as the TULIP of Calvinism, these five tenets have been maligned and denigrated by those who fail to understand them. Worse yet, the truths behind these five points are being lost to generations of new believers as the tradition behind them is being quickly forgotten.

Clarity and biblical reflection on the TULIP of Calvinism is required. Through the imagery and lens of modern medicine, Dr. Thomas J. Kessler sheds new light on these crucial aspects of Calvinism and why they deserve appreciation by Christians abroad. The disease of sin has infected and devastated all of humanity. Is there hope for a cure? If so, how was it procured and to whom has it been applied? Can we have confidence in the eternal healing of such a treatment? Drawing from his experiences as a physician and insights from medicine at large, Dr. Kessler sets the record straight. Calvinism represents the biblical concept of God as our great physician, and the sacrifice of His Son as our only cure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664260627

Thomas J. Kessler D. O.

Thomas Kessler, D.O., is a board-certified family medicine physician currently working as a local urgent care provider in western Pennsylvania. After finishing his undergraduate studies in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, he obtained his degree in osteopathic medicine in Tennessee at LMU-DCOM. Once returning to the greater Pittsburgh area upon graduation, Dr. Kessler completed his training in the specialty of family medicine in 2018 at Heritage Valley Health System. He currently resides near Pittsburgh, PA with his wife (Kristen) and sons (Tyler and Ryan). In addition, he is a proud and active member of the local PCA congregation.

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Copyright © 2022 Thomas J. Kessler D.O.

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-6063-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-6064-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-6062-7 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 3/16/2022

Nothing in life is more wonderful than faith- the one great moving force which we can neither weigh in the balance nor test in the crucible.

Sir William Osler M.D.

To my father, Keith H. Kessler M.D. (1953-2018). My first attending and greatest mentor. May he rest in the eternal peace of his Lord and savior.

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1   Grand Rounds: The Pathology of Our Demise

Chapter 2   A Great Tradition: Providential History

Chapter 3   Sola Scriptura: The Authority of God’s Word

Chapter 4   The One Point of Calvinism: God is Sovereign

Chapter 5   Dead in Sin: Total Depravity

Chapter 6   Freedom from Bondage: Unconditional Election

Chapter 7   The Cure Realize: The Atonement of Christ

Chapter 8   The Healing of a People: Limited Atonement

Chapter 9   Divine Resuscitation: Irresistible Grace

Chapter 10 A Grace That Preserves: Perseverance of the Saints

Conclusion

Bibliography

About the Author

PREFACE

I t was October of 2018 when I first set out on the task of outlining the elements and concepts that would be central to this book. My father, who had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer, would soon pass on into eternity in a matter of weeks. To my regret, he would never read a word of this project that was to be dedicated to him. He would never even know of its existence. At the time, all I had were a few scribbled ideas, some stories, and a desire to honor his memory in some lasting way. In the months that passed after his death, writing the pages of this book became an integral part of that grieving period. My intention was not to publish necessarily, but to put thoughts on paper and use writing as an outlet during that difficult time. Along the way of course, I found a new and unexpected purpose that would drive me not only to finish the first edition, but to come back and add to it.

A month prior to my father’s passing, our eldest son, Tyler Jeffrey was born. It was an absolute joy to finally be a dad myself. And yet, I was painfully aware that he would never know his grandfather Kessler. It was around that time that I decided to start writing this manuscript. The goal was to achieve three purposes. The first and absolute purpose was to bring glory to the Lord God in the way that I felt best I could, through the imagery of medicine. The second was to honor the memory of my dad by discussing in length the passions that defined his life. However, a third purpose then became clear as day.

As I sat there, in my office, typing away at a blank canvas, I had a partner and co-author with me the entire time. There behind me sat my son Tyler, only months old, sleeping by the back window. When he would get up in the early hours of the morning, I would take him down stairs to the office, and there he would fall asleep again to the sounds of typing and writing. Somedays it would last for an hour or more; somedays just for a few brief minutes. Each day however, I was able to lay down a paragraph or two with him cooing and squawking behind me. I then realized that this book would also serve as a lasting reminder to myself of the first moments of bonding between father and son. That was something special that I did not anticipate. I will never forget those mornings. Between the lines of these pages lay the experiences of early fatherhood and the foundations of the relationship that I would have with my son.

When our second son, Ryan James, was born in April of 2021, I logically then had a strong desire to add to this work. Not only would I have another opportunity to share the writing of this book with my newborn (just as I had with my first born), but I would also be able to address an important topic left largely unmentioned the first time around. Not long after the printing of the first edition, I knew right away that it was missing at least one crucial chapter. Although this book focuses mostly on the five points of Calvinism, it was always necessary to support those chapters with information on the history of the Reformed movement as well as God’s total sovereignty. I determined that the support those chapters gave would need to be expanded to include one on the authority of scripture. Sola Scriptura is far too much of a core element to Reformed thought to be just given a passing glance.

The goal of the additional chapter regarding scripture was to construct a framework from which the reader would consider the importance of God’s Word in Reformed theology. The focus of which being on authority and trustworthiness. While I touch on inerrancy, immutability, and transmission of the Word, this was by no means intended to be an exhaustive academic work on those topics. I hope however, that through the lens of medicine, this chapter may act as a spring board for the reader to investigate the matter further.

It has been a joy and a great privilege to write this small book over the last few years. What started as an homage to the memory of my father and as an outlet for his passing has transformed into something much greater. I cannot express my gratitude for the opportunity to share this experience with both my sons as infants. Having both of them at different times sitting beside me through this journey is something they will never remember, but I will never forget. It will be a bond that I will always share with them.

That joy was the unexpected and gracious fruit of a labor that always had one ultimate goal in mind. The honor of giving glory to my Lord and God through writing is and will forever be my proudest duty. It is my earnest prayer that to some degree I may have achieved that goal. It is with that sentiment that I conclude in the words of the reformers, Soli Deo Gloria.

INTRODUCTION

I grew up on the west side of Cincinnati where there were a number of important principles one was expected to embrace and encouraged to pursue in order to develop character and success. Playing sports year round would foster team work, loyalty, and perseverance. Chores instilled discipline and a sense of responsibility. And entrusting your allowance to the coin bank in the corner of your room nurtured a skill for frugality and financial independence.

Still, in my household, there were two disciplines that were prioritized far above any other. The two pillars that made up the foundation of a well lived life were a mature faith in Christ Jesus, and a strong education to accompany it. My father made it very clear, from my earliest memories, that nothing was to be placed higher in importance through life than these.

The first was instilled as the utmost in importance and primacy. Bible study and devotion to the Word were of daily significance in our lives. Picture bibles in childhood were replaced with red letter bibles and the Westminster Confession in adolescence. My father cultivated in me early on an understanding of the reformed faith and the doctrines of grace. This same tradition had been passed down to him by his father, a distinguished conservative minister who had dutifully filled the pulpits of a handful of Presbyterian churches during his