Doctrines of Grace – Review

The Doctrines of Grace was written by James Montgomery Boice and Phillip Graham Ryken. The majority of the book was written by Boice prior to his death. This book was the last that Boice would ever publish, what he describes in the book has marked his life of ministry in Philadelphia. His main concern is that the church of today needs to rediscover these grace doctrines to recover its message and vitality. This book was an excellent read which keeps the reader’s attention throughout.

The book dealt with evangelicalism’s need for Calvinism. Boice explained the origin of the acronym TULIP by referring to the Synod of Dort. Those at the Synod of Dort were responding to the students and followers of Jacob Arminius and their Arminian theology. The acronym stands for: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. The author confronts the false gospels of secularism, humanism, relativism, materialism, pragmatism and anti-intellectualism. He explains the shift towards Arminian theology among evangelicals and what Arminian theology is about and then parallels that with Calvinism. Boice was concerned about making sure that the gospel people were and are to receive is a gospel of grace. His last point in the chapter was that God alone deserves all the glory in a person’s salvation.

Boice also stressed the historical impact that Calvinism has made throughout Europe and America. Boice draws from John Calvin’s ministry in Geneva, where the city was transformed through biblical teaching. Schools were established which included education for girls, business started to thrive due to honesty, sanitation increased as a sewer system was established, and the morality of the town was dramatically enhanced.

Some examples that Boice gives are the Puritans in the Great Awakening and Abraham Kuyper’s efforts in Holland. He shows how the doctrines of grace have provided a sound theological basis for evangelism, church edification and renewal of society. He also warns that there is a historical example of a downward spiral in church theology. When the church departs from Reformed theology, this spiral starts with departing from Calvinism to Arminianism. The departure continues leading to Liberalism and then to Atheism as it becomes more man centered rather than God centered.

Most of the book is an explanation of the doctrines of grace. Boice starts with total depravity. He clears misconceptions of it and refers to it as radical depravity. This doctrine basically teaches that man is dead in his sin and is in bondage to it, apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Unconditional Election and Particular Redemption are the next issues he addresses. These doctrines explain that God the Father has elected a people for himself and redeems them through Christ’s atonement for their sin. Efficacious Grace, the fourth doctrine, is also known as Irresistible Grace. This doctrine teaches that those whom God calls, he justifies and whom he justifies, he also glorifies. Finally, the last of the five points is Persevering Grace, also known as Perseverance of the Saints. This last doctrine teaches that God will persevere with his people and will complete the good work that He has started in them. Some Baptists call this doctrine Eternal Security.

Phillip Ryken, the co-author, explained what true Calvinist was and what Calvinism can do for the church. He explains that a true Calvinist is someone who has experienced the grace of God in Christ through the gospel and in response lives in humility, repentance and charity before God and his neighbor. In the gospel the sinner sees his sinfulness and he sees that God is forgiving God who has been gracious to us by giving us His son Jesus Christ. He also points out that the person who has been changed by God’s grace will have a repentant spirit, a grateful heart, will be submissive to God’s will and will lead a holy life all for God’s glory.

Lastly, Boice and Ryken explained that the church which has received God’s grace is the instrument whereby God shows his mercy towards others. The last point is that the true Calvinist is a person whose mind and heart is centered on God. Grace leads the church into mercy ministries and grace motivated evangelical efforts. He proposes that Reformed Theology is a life view or worldview which the Christian thinks through and by which he sees the world around him. The person who has been changed by grace sees that all of life, including education in science, arts and the culture, ultimately is all for God’s glory.

My opinion of this book is a positive one, because I can testify that the gospel of grace has changed me and is continuing to change me. This book has explained why the evangelical church needs the doctrines of grace. I have witnessed this need in many of the churches I have visited. Many professing Christians do not understand the reality of grace or the depth of the gospel.

I agree with the author’s view that Calvinism has been present and effective throughout church history. Starting with Luther and the Reformation, the church began to rediscover the gospel of grace. Through the biblical exposition of Calvin, God changed the hearts of many in Geneva, which renewed the city and promoted its spiritual welfare. Boice did a good job on addressing many of the misconceptions that people have when they think of Calvinism. Calvinism is better referred to as Reformed Theology or Biblical Theology.

I think that without a true understanding of man’s depravity, people will not see the seriousness of our sin against a holy God. This doctrine helps us to not look to ourselves for redemption from sin, but rather to Christ for redemption as he is the Church’s redeemer. It also emphasizes that man is totally bankrupt spiritually apart from God’s regenerating work by his Holy Spirit in the heart of man. Man is dependent upon God because man is a creature and God is his Creator. This doctrine has helped me to be more humble in my dealings with others, and at the same time, more reverent in thankfulness to God for his saving work for me in Jesus Christ.

Election is a tough issue that I think many, including myself, have a hard time understanding. It is biblical and is taught all throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, God chose Israel and in the New Testament Christ came to save his people from their sins. It is a gracious act of God that he would choose anyone because we have all sinned and do not deserve salvation, but he freely gives it to his people who receive and rest on Christ by faith.

Particular Redemption or Limited Atonement is a harder doctrine to understand, but nevertheless is consistent throughout the Bible. I have had many discussions with people over this issue and I think most people do not fully understand it. Basically, Christ died for the church, and paid the full ransom by shedding his blood on the cross to purchase a people for God. It is a comfort to know that all of our sin has been paid for through Christ’s atoning death on the cross.

One of the most precious doctrines that Boice talked about was Efficacious Grace or Irresistible Grace. I agree with him whole heartedly on this point. Apart from God’s initiative and regenerating power, the sinner’s heart we would never choose Him. Jesus stated that we didn’t choose Him but that He chose us. The theme of this doctrine is consistent and explains the role of the Holy Spirit in God’s saving a man from his sin and giving that person a new nature.

A priceless biblical teaching that Christians have found comfort in through many struggles is the doctrine of Persevering Grace or Eternal Security. The Christian has a comforting truth knowing that his salvation is secure because of the finished work of Christ. This teaching is probably very misunderstood and taken advantage of by many who name the name of Christ. Boice did well in explaining the teaching and its fruit in the life of the Christian.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand why Christianity is about a God of grace who loved us so much that he wouldn’t leave us in our sin, but promises us eternal life through faith in his Son. This was a great book and I look forward to recommending it to others and to reading it again.