Do Christians choose to have faith, or is faith a supernatural work of God? Far from an abstract intellectual exercise, this question has vast implications for the hope, joy, and assurance of the Christian life. When the truth of God's sovereign grace breaks into our minds and hearts, it changes everything. In What's So Great about the Doctrines of Grace? Dr. Richard D. Phillips takes us on a tour of the doctrines of grace, also known as the five points of Calvinism. With clear biblical exposition, he helps us to see the extent of our corruption in sin, to anchor our faith in the fullness of grace, and to trust in God's promise to finish what He started--the salvation of His people. When we rely on God's all-sufficient grace, we can truly live for His all-consuming glory.

There is no question that we live in an age of weak theology and casual Christianity. We have substituted intuition for truth, feeling for belief and immediate gratification for enduring hope. Evangelicalism desperately needs to return to the doctrines that once before reformed the world: radical depravity, unconditional election, particular redemption, efficacious grace and persevering grace. James Boice and Philip Ryken not only provide a compelling exposition on these doctrines of grace, but also look briefly at their historical impact. The authors leave no doubt that the church suffers when these foundational truths are neglected and that she must return to a Christianity that is practical-minded, kind-hearted, and most importantly, biblically based.

Does God sovereignly elect some individuals for salvation while passing others by? Do human beings possess free will to embrace or reject the gospel? Did Christ die equally for all people or only for some? These questions have long been debated in the history of the Christian church. Answers typically fall into one of two main categories, popularly known as Calvinism and Arminianism. The focus of this book is to establish how one nineteenth-century evangelical group, the Brethren, responded to these and other related questions. The Brethren produced a number of colorful leaders whose influence was felt throughout the evangelical world. Although many critics have assumed the movement's theology was Arminian, this book argues that the Brethren, with few exceptions, advocated Calvinistic positions. Yet there were some twists along the way! The movement's radical biblicism, passionate evangelism, and strong aversion to systematic theology and creeds meant they refused to label themselves as Calvinists even though they affirmed Calvinism's soteriological principles--the so-called doctrines of grace.

This book is an introduction and overview of the Doctrines of Grace, or the Five Points of Calvinism

Aurelius Augustine (354-430) is one of the most prominently known figures in the history of the Christian church. He was a philosopher and theologian of the highest order, and steadfastly preached on the grace of God. He preached and wrote on the grace of God so extensively to preserve the truth of the gospel (especially against the heretic Pelagius) that he was deemed “the Doctor of Grace.” Many today hold to what has become known as the Five Points of Calvinism, or the doctrines of grace. They comprise the five points of Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and the Perseverance of the Saints. But did Augustine believe these same “Calvinistic” doctrines? Is Augustine’s theological view of sin, election, the death of Christ, regeneration and sanctification the same as the Reformers, the Puritans, or even those who hold to the Gospel of Grace today? This work is a survey of that question and demonstrates from Augustine’s works that he was, undoubtedly, a Calvinist. This is not a scan or facsimile, and contains an active table of contents for electronic versions.

Understanding the doctrines of grace provides a clearer picture of Gods sovereignty, mercy, and majesty. From the lawgiver Moses to the Apostle John, and from the early church fathers to modern defenders of the faith, there has marched onto the stage of human history a long line of godly men, a triumphant parade of spiritual stalwarts who have upheld the doctrines of grace. In this book, Dr. Steven J. Lawson takes readers on a heart-stirring survey of the Scriptures and their teaching on Gods way of salvation. Lawson demonstrates that far from being a sixteenth century invention, the doctrines of grace are the clear teaching of the Bible in its entirety. From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures declare the message of Gods sovereign grace in salvation.

An eight chapter study on the doctrines of grace using Scriptural proofs and review questions to teach these specific doctrines: Sovereignty of God, Inability of Man, Justification by faith Alone, Election by Grace, Sacrifice of Christ, Unity and Universality of the Church, and Security of the believer.