In his debut work of nonfiction, author Moore examines the underlying principles inherent in Reformed theology, which arose out of the Protestant Reformation. He elucidates the Five Points of Calvinism throughout his book: total depravity of human beings, unconditional election of those who will be taken into Christ’s kingdom, limited atonement of sins, the irresistible grace of God always available to mankind, and the perseverance of saints in the face of persecution and doubt. Protestant churches were founded on the principle of grace, not good deeds, as the pathway to salvation. To some, it may seem erroneous to assume that we are “depraved,” but in accepting that, we can perceive even more gratefully the continual flow of God’s grace. Moore, a potter, offers photographs of some of his clay works as a way of illustrating the process of God’s “workmanship”: the power to fashion base materials into pleasing creations.

Moore, a retired chemical engineer, has brought together a wealth of knowledge in constructing his intriguing thesis. He introduces his subject by revealing that Protestantism was not spread much in largely Catholic-dominated Latin America where he was raised, and offers himself as an example of someone for whom the doctrines of Reformed theology, once encountered, brought clarity and joy. A potter since adolescence, he uses that art form as an apt analogy. Moore’s writing shows intellectual grounding, extensive research, rational thought, and a genuine wish to help others appreciate both the complex history and the deeper meaning of the Reformation. His wish is to “awaken and excite readers” regarding its relevance and practice. It would seem appropriate to combine the study of Moore’s book with a pottery workshop, with the clay—from its shaping, firing, and end products—serving as a model for the creative oversight of a higher power.

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