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The Doctrines of Grace: Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel

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This work is a collaborative effort of the late James Montgomery Boice and his successor at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Philip Ryken. This is not a book that will make everyone happy because it deliberately intends to chasten contemporary evangelicalism on a number of fronts. But I felt that it was a very good introduction to Reformed theology that both seasoned theologians and amateurs to theological thought can profit from.

The controversial nature of the book begins in the first sentence of the first chapter, when it announces that evangelicalism stands or falls with Calvinism, as B.B. Warfield once remarked. From this, the authors lament what they believe is the state of thorough worldliness that has established residency within the evangelical church, and their belief that a return to the core tenets of Reformed theology is the best and only effective antidote.

From there, a solid introductory analysis of the 5 points of Calvinism is given. I found that these analyses were pretty thorough, yet very readable and understandable at an introductory level. In contrast to the rather elevated language of folks like Kuyper, Boettner, Machen, Warfield, and Hodge, Boice and Ryken bring the fundamentals of Reformed theology down to a layperson's level while still being unapologetic about these beliefs. In this analysis of the 5 points, the authors effectively take on some of the more common objections to Reformed theology that tend to surface, although again, because of the introductory nature of the book, the reader should not expect full orbed and exhaustive rebuttals here. The one rebuttal that I thought was especially insightful was where the authors, while responding to the objection that Reformed theology relies too much on the 'two wills of God' to harmonize their theology, point out that the free-will theists who tend to voice this objection engage in exactly the same thing by suggesting by default that in contrast to God's revealed will in the Bible, God's primary purpose (or secret will) is in preserving the supposed free will of man. Very insightful point.

The authors also devote a great deal of time both to analyzing the fruits of Calvinism in history, as well as presenting a Calvinist life view that penetrates all aspects of life and civilization. On the latter point, the authors appear to pattern the Calvinist worldview heavily upon the views of Kuyper as articulated at Princeton over 100 years ago. While I found this section to be very good and very refreshing in many ways, it should be understood by the reader that Calvinism has not historically been, nor is currently monolithic in how it views the believer's attitude and involvement in politics, science, art, and other areas. Nonetheless, I found that Boice and Ryken offered some very good thoughts in this area.

Overall, I highly commend this book to someone who is interested in studying and learning about the Reformed faith, especially those who are just beginning this journey. This book is very helpful for those who are new to theology, but is also quite useful to those with more experience in this area. A very good book.

First off, some introductory remarks. This is Boice's last work before his death in 2000 of cancer. He wrote the bulk of the material contained in this book. Ryken, one of Boice's assistant pastors, completed it upon his death, contributing a closing chapter as well as editing for style and actually writing the opening two chapters entirely from Boice's notes and resources. Boice himself had already drafted the middle chapters detailing the doctrines of grace.

This book is an excellent, excellent introduction to the doctrines of grace, widely known for better or for worse as Calvinism. It is also a very compelling work, one that should move the reader to desire further investigation at the very least and full commitment at the very best. It avoids what one of my good friends has termed "my Calvinism is better than your Calvinism," which would have caused me to march back to the bookstore and demand my money back. ;-)

This book does, however, make the implicit claim (erroneously, in my opinion) that Arminian theology leads to what Arthur Pink in The Sovereignty of God calls liberalism. More accurately, it insists that Arminian theology leads to a man-centered gospel, which in itself is a hallmark of liberalism. While you will find no disagreement from me if you were to assert that a significant majority of liberals (if not all) are Arminian in theology, you will get a major disagreement that Arminianism leads to liberalism. I have been taught by and worked under conservative, orthodox, non-Calvinist leaders who are extremely Godly men, and I am uncomfortable with the assertion that their gospel is man-centered, when nothing could be further from the truth.

However, the way this book presents the gospel leaves no doubt in my mind that any gospel that does not emphasize the sovereignty of God is sorely lacking. If none can be saved without God's help, then why insist that faith is a human work and not a gift of God? That is contradictory and unbilibcal.

The middle chapters are without question excellent introductions. Following the TULIP acrostic, the authors detail each point in such a way that you are given a clear understanding of what each point entails, without feeling the need to write a volume on each. While the TULIP acrostic is followed, the authors eschew the traditional terms (total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, perseverance of the saints) for a much gentler and more polite terminology: Radical Depravity, Unconditional Election, Particular Redemption, Efficacious Grace, and Persevering Grace. I believe the authors are wise to take this tack, as I agree the traditional terms are loaded weapons for both sides of the issue and softening terminology while retaining accuracy potentially fosters discussion.

Please be advised that in no way do they "water down" the doctrines by taking a softer stance in terminology. Indeed, many of the discussions in these chapters are hard for those who are unsure or whom do not subscribe to the doctrines of grace. They do not shy away from the issues surrounding them; however they leave the punching bags at home. For that I'm thankful. It actually made some discussions harder for me in some respects to have such a softer approach.

The authors close the book with an extremely helpful discussion on two issues: what a "true Calvinist" looks like, and how Calvinism should work in everyday life. A quote I will share from the eighth chapter: "[S]o many of those who have discovered the beauty of Reformed theology, as described in this book, are anything but beautiful themselves....They have a bad reputation, and sadly, perhaps some of it is deserved." The authors work diligently in this chapter to combat the rigid, unfeeling, unsympathetic Calvinism that seems to be rampant and growing in some circles, instead showing a Calvinism that genuinely seeks the mind of Christ. Indeed, I wholeheartedly agree with the authors' vision of what a "true Calvinist" should look like--one conformed to the image of Christ. Oh, would that both Calvinists and Arminians would seek to be conformed to Christ in all things instead of resorting to petty bickering! We'd get further in these discussions if only our ultimate goal was Christ and Him crucified.

I very much appreciated the final chapter, penned by Ryken, giving a practical look at what I'm going to term "applied Calvinism." He seeks to answer the question, "How does Calvinism work itself out in life?" His answer can be summed up in a single statement from the ninth and final chapter: "[T]he heart of Reformed theology is a passion for God's glory, not simply in redemption but in all of creation." This includes our work, our play, our disciplines such as art, finance, science, history, government, and so on. Ryken presents a compelling vision for Calvinist interaction with the world that can only be described as wholly Christian.

I remarked to a friend that this book is wonderful for someone investigating the doctrines because one does not have to chew on them, one can drink them. I now revise that statement. This book is not a milk-bottle, but is a bowl of stew or goulash, as opposed to a full-on steak dinner. It is intended for the layman, but assumes some basic level of theological knowledge. It is an excellent springboard for serious study of the doctrines of grace.

This book is highly recommended by me to anyone who wants to seriously begin to study what Calvinism is all about without the debate surrounding it.

There is any number of books available today that serve as introductions to Calvinism or the doctrines of grace. While some of these leave much to be desired, many of them are excellent and do justice to the topic. One might ask, then, why someone would want to write (or read) yet another one, and that would be a fair question.

What attracted me to this title is that it was the final book written by one of our generation's great pastors and teachers, James Montgomery Boice. Having been diagnosed with cancer and knowing that he had merely a few months or weeks to live, he dedicated himself to hymn-writing and to writing this book. He lived for a mere forty two days after receiving his diagnosis, and though he was not able to see it to completion, he turned it over to his colleague Philip Ryken who completed it after Boice's death. In the foreward R.C. Sproul writes of Boice: "Here was a man who not only believed in the doctrines of grace but also loved those doctrines and had fire in his bones about propagating them. I knew Jim Boice for more than thirty years and never saw that fire diminish. His soul was held captive by the doctrines of grace. His ministry was an ongoing doxology to the doctrines of grace because they so clearly manifest the God of that grace...It is not surprising that the last literary work of James Boice would focus on his first love, the doctrines of grace." This book, then, contains the last words of an eminent pastor, theologian and teacher who dedicated his life to the very topic at hand. It would be foolish for us to disregard such a message.

The book begins with an examination of the current state of the evangelical world and traces some of the history of Calvinism and great Calvinists of the past. The reader is introduced to Arminianism and sees how the two systems of doctrine are at odds. We see how a rediscovery of the doctrines of grace is the antidote to the current sorry state of evangelicalism.

The author then moves to an in-depth examination of each of the five doctrines of grace. Eschewing the traditional TULIP acronym, Boice chooses instead to speak of Radical Depravity, Unconditional Election, Particular Redemption, Efficacious Grace and Persevering Grace. Each of the points receives a full examination, but one that is targeted at the layperson so that even a young person or someone with little theological background could easily understand. Each of the points is supported with Scripture and even the passages that seem to contradict the doctrines are examined and dealt with. As one would expect, the Arminian opposites of each doctrine are considered as well.

The final two chapters speak of rediscovering God's grace. Calvinism is not a system of doctrine that impacts only the mind. While it is based on theological distinctions, this theology should spur us to action. One who considers himself Calvinist but sees no reason to take the gospel to the world or to be involved in the betterment of society has not truly understood the words of God. The true Calvinist should be a leader in issues of evangelism and social justice.

This book provides a beautiful and captivating introduction to Calvinism. Combined with Boice's prior volume Whatever Happened To The Gospel of Grace one receives a solid introduction to the doctrines of grace and to the five solas of the Reformation. I recommend this book as heartily as I recommended Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace. Both are excellent studies and deserve to be read and appreciated.

If you've been exposed to drivel like George Bryson's books or Dave Hunt, put down the garbage and take a read at what Calvinists really believe and how it plays out in their daily faith.

Graham and the late Bro. Ryken have done an excellent job in presenting the doctrines of grace. This book isn't a mega-treatise on the subject - if you're already familiar with Calvinism, it's a refresher. It's mainly written for those unfamiliar with Calvinism and shows how our lives are to be changed as a result of believing in the Doctrines of Grace. It's a great read - it doesn't delve into much heavy theology, and leaves a few 'problem passages' alone, outside of simple explanations. I recommend it without hesitation to anyone who wants an accurate perspective of Calvinism.

'Reformed theology is the system of doctrine that seeks to give God all the glory for His grace in the gospel.' p 199

James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken defend and define Calvinism. It would be remiss not to mention how the glory of God is stated as the ultimate goal for the creation and man; God made man to glorify Him. God then calls man and redeems him to enable him to this eternal vocation.

'If men heed no more than the outward call, they become members of the visible church. If the inward call is heard in our hearts, we become members of the invisible church. The first call unites us merely to a group of professing members; but the inward call unites us to Christ Himself.' Donald Grey Barnhouse, God's Grace, God's Freedom, God's Heirs: Expositions of Bible Doctrines 7:171

Men have moved beyond the bounds of comprehending the full implications of sin which continues to bear children borne of this godless age, unless by the divine interposition of God we turn to the light. The authors also refine what Calvinism is not, by revising liberalism, pluralism, relativism, post-modernism, revivalism etc. The effects of these man-made movements in the philosophical arena have drawn clear battle lines.

'In short, there was a shift from revival to revivalism.' p 59
'With Arminianism has come Pietism.' p 62
'Open theism is an open attack on the Reformed understanding of the sovereignty of God.' p 65
The unintended result:
'Even Calvinists who are sympathetic to evangelicalism increasingly find themselves distanced from the movement (Calvinism) as a whole.' p 61

Boice and Ryken fully refute post-conservative theology, including the myths and fallacies surrounding Calvinism that have been propagated by its jurassic foes, the Arminians. The best way of going about this is by again advocating TULIP, the acronym for Calvinism. 'Our central argument is that evangelicalism cannot survive without Calvinism because the gospel of grace requires the doctrines of grace.' p 66

In a tour of Calvinism's history and theocentric worldview, they remind us of the visibly God-exalting and Bible-bearing greats of yesteryear; such churchmen as John Calvin, the Puritans, Jonathan Edwards, Abraham Kuyper, George Whitefield and the old Princetonians, whom all shaped cultures in their desire to see God embellished in all facets of cultural development. This book explains the system whereby Calvinists identify with those greats, and how to regain the vital identity of Christianity in evangelicalism. 'Isms' that have been imported wholesale from the modern and postmodern cultures into the church are all vain attempts at making man the center of his universe and seek to depose God from His rightful throne. These recent movements all have their roots in semi-Pelagianism, or the 17th century variant, the Remonstrants or Armininians. Arminianism contends that man is self-determinative in his decision as to where he may spend eternity, which is proved by this work to be unbiblical:

'God's call, since it is effectual, carries with it the operative grace whereby the person called is enabled to answer the call and to embrace Jesus Christ as He is freely offered in the gospel.' John Murray, Redemption Accomplished & Applied p 96

'Effectual calling is the point at which the eternal foreknowledge and predestination of God pass over into time and start the process by which the individual is drawn from sin to faith in Jesus Christ, is justified through that faith, and is then kept in Christ until his or her final glorification.' p 140

After their survey of the doctrines of grace, they then explore what it means to be a true Calvinist: a God-centered mind, a penitent spirit, a grateful heart and a submissive will lead to a holy life.

'Those who are saved by grace, also live by grace, and their growth in grace is due to the gracious work of God's Spirit. This is what preserves Calvinism from legalism.' p 193

The closing chapter restates the idea of a vital engagement with culture if the church is to be effective in its proclamation of the gospel. This is a gracious and inspiring book on Calvinism, which does not serve lofty ideals, but has a firm grasp on the practical and pastoral aspects that affect society positively and enduringly and has ever since its inception in the 1530s.

'The heart of Reformed theology is a passion for God's glory, not simply in redemption but in all of creation.' p 201

James Boice and Philip Ryken present a cogent, easy to understand presentation of the Reformed faith. The church today generally does not read church history and are therefore not aware of the doctrines that were preached and died for. This effort plainly expounds the profound deep truths of the Bible without losing its audience. I highly recommend this as the beginning book for anyone dealing with the issue of God's sovereignty. The question truly is "Who birthed you into the kingom; yourself or Jehovah God?" If "every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights", salvation is one of those gifts and comes "from" God and not ourselves. The question that this book helps answer is this: is man TOTALLY depraved or partially wounded? Ephesians 2:1,5 says "you who were dead, God made alive". This book explains in simple language one of the deepest truths of the Word of God.

I bought this book with a desire to understand more of Calvinism. I came at it with, I believe, an objective view. Boice expounds convincingly the Calvinist texts, redefines the TULIP acronym so that it is more clear and precise, and gives direction on how a Calvinist lives.

As other reveiwers mentioned, Boice does a good job on the easy texts and leaves some wanting on the hard texts (see Michael Horton instead). Also Helpful are the verses of the hymns that Boice composed before each chapter. In the final chapters Boice (and Ryken) attempt to refute the claim that Calvinists are the "Frozen Chose" and points to history and the example of 10th Presbyterian Church as signs of a lively Reformed faith.

Final Analysis.
If one is a seasoned Calvinist or Arminian, then this book probably will not be anything new for you. However, for a new Reformed or an Arminian wishing a debate, this book will be interesting. For those more seasoned, try Michael Horton's Putting Amazing Back into Grace.

This is one of the most readable and accessible books on the Doctrines of Grace I have ever read. Great title for the book, because it is about God's grace and not mans's efforts. Dr. Boice and Dr. Ryken write with clarity. They show that you can make complex doctrines understandable and enjoyable.

One of the major goals of this book is to show the necessity and practicality of Calvinism in our churches. The success of the church depends on faithful teaching of the Bible. Calvinism is a foul word to many people that conjures up all kinds of mistaken beliefs. But this book does a remarkable job at teaching this subject. I hate to call it an introduction or a primer because you will have a hard time finding any book that covers so much so well.

This book starts with the bold statement that "Evangelism needs Calvinism". To many this is an oxymoron. But the authors do a great job at proving their point. The Gospel stands firmly on Calvinism. I have heard people say that Calvinism starts with the doctrine of Election. They assume Romans 9 is the proof text for Calvinism. But I don't think this true. I believe that Calvinism stands or falls on its first point - Total Depravity. Also, it seems that almost everyone uses the term "Total Depravity" but I don't think they all agree what it means. And I include pastors in this misunderstanding. Pay close attention to how Boice and Ryken explain Total Depravity, because it is basic to our understanding of Calvinism. If you can understand Total Depravity, you will appreciate the other 4 points. I really like the way this book starts in Genesis 6:5 "...every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time." Even after the flood it says the same thing in Genesis 8:21 "... even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood." Even after all the evil people were destroyed in the flood, man still had the same heart problem. The development of Total Depravity is fundamental to Calvinism. The other four points fall easily in line. Psalm 14 and Psalm 15 expand on this point of man's heart and is picked up later by Paul in Romans 3.

A couple things did concern me about the presentation of Calvinism that seems rather cold. On page 59 they talk about the Invitation System as part of the New Measures. I believe it is accurate to say that the Presbyterians do not use the Invitation System. But why lead a horse to water if you are not going to give him an opportunity to drink? I do not find the Invitation System to be interfering with the work of the Holy Spirit. No one believes or teaches that walking down an aisle saves you. I also found the illustration on pages 88 and 89 to be rather troubling. A man came to the pastor and was wrestling with the issues of life and death. The pastor gave the man an indifferent response. He did this so that he could be sure that it was the work of the Holy Spirit and not a false confession. But where in the Bible are we told to `NOT' encourage and or help people in the process of salvation? Salvation is the work of God, but we are also told to "compel" people to come in. This part of the presentation only adds to the perception that Reformed Theology or Calvinism is detached and harsh. It makes it sound like doctrine is the "end all" and "be all" and people are irrelevant.

This book is well worth the price and a great tribute to life and teaching of Dr. Boice. Big thanks to Dr. Ryken for making this material available and a huge success! Thank you both for bringing this subject down to the level where others can understand and appreciate these doctrines.

There are many who have lost the way despite calling themselves Christians. "The Doctrines of Grace: Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel" is a criticism of modern Christianity and how it has apparently lost its path in life, untrue to the original faith. Saying that Evangelicalism needs to abandon this casual faith and encourage Christians to return to their faith's roots, two pastors speak on modern Christianity, where it's heading, and what can be done. A must for those concerned for their faith, "The Doctrines of Grace" is recommended.

This is a great book to start with for Christians who are in need of some clarification and clear teaching regarding the teaching of God's grace, as described throughout all of Scripture. Also, Boice and Ryken provide a clear and consistent polemic of the Reformed faith. Easy to read and not too difficult for the average layman. I particularly enjoyed the section at the end regarding what it means to implement these teachings to your life. This is not just dry doctrine! Highly recommended and a great addition to every Christian's library!!