Grace in Eclipse: A Study on Eternal Rewards [Paperback]

Zane C. Hodges (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1987 | ISBN-10: 0960757678 | ISBN-13: 978-0960757671 | Edition: 2

When one mentions the subject of eternal rewards, many Christians will admit they do not know much about the subject. Yet, the Bible in many passages speaks on this important subject, and a proper understanding of eternal rewards is key to living the Christian life. Some confuse passages on eternal rewards with passages on eternal salvation. Others are confused on the question of whether Christians should be motivated by eternal rewards.

In Grace in Eclipse Zane Hodges presents the biblical perspective on the place of eternal rewards in the life of the believer. Grace in Eclipse demonstrates that eternal rewards are something offered by our loving heavenly Father to motivate us. It is something He wants to give. It is a teaching we need to take seriously as it can have eternal consequences on the quality of our eternal life. Many difficult passages are considered, including some from the Sermon on the Mount as well as the story of the rich young ruler. The result is an inspiring call to all believers to run a winning race for God. It is hard to find good books on rewards. Get this one.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A need has arisen in the evangelical community for a return to the simple message of salvation by faith alone. Salvation and discipleship have been confused by pastors and evangelists in the current trend to front-load the gospel message. In Grace in Eclipse Prof. Zane Hodges makes an important contribution to the movement that seeks to reestablish a biblical gospel message.

In this timely work, Prof. Hodges presents an exegetically oriented treatise on the doctrine of rewards and their relationship to the gospel. Through a careful analysis of the pertinent passages of Scripture, he argues conclusively that the believer's faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the cause of Christ in this life will result in both rewards and regrets in the life hereafter. In refocusing our attention on the eternal consequences of obedience or disobedience to God, Prof. Hodges has surfaced for us the biblical perspective on sin in the life of the believer.

It is my prayer that this book will be read by pastors and evangelists everywhere and will thus be used by God to put an end to what Prof. Hodges has rightly described as an "eclipse of grace."

-Charles F. Stanley Pastor, First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Ga. -- Charles F. Stanley Pastor, First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Ga.

About the Author

Zane Hodges has sought to live a life consistent with the marvelous and undeserved grace that his loving heavenly Father showed Zane, when He gave Zane the absolutely free gift of eternal life through faith alone in Jesus Christ. Currently, Zane is engaged in pastoral ministry at Victor Street Bible Chapel in Dallas, where he has ministered for over 40 years. Zane received his BA degree from Wheaton College and his ThM degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. He taught New Testament Greek and exegesis at Dallas Theological Seminary for 27 years until 1987. Zane also served as the Chairman of the New Testament Department.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Redencion Viva; 2 edition (June 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0960757678
• ISBN-13: 978-0960757671
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,746,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars neglected, yet vitally important teaching, May 16, 2000

By 

"shofar" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grace in Eclipse: A Study on Eternal Rewards (Paperback)

"Grace In Eclipse" is a study on eternal rewards and is the 2nd segment in a three-part series on the absolute freeness of the gift of salvation.

The author argues that passages dealing with eternal rewards (for one's works) are often misinterpreted as being passages dealing with salvation (a free gift.) In order to understand the freeness of our salvation, the often neglected, yet vitally important concept of eternal rewards must be correctly taught to the believer. This issue along with the issue of mistaking discipleship passages (works) for salvation (free gift) passages - discussed in "Absolutely Free" by the same author - make up the great bulk of misunderstood scripture which leads many to combine both concepts into a single doctrine of salvation and ending up with a (disguised) "works salvation."

Hodges also maintains that words such as "believe" and "faith" have basically the same meaning that they do in English and that they are often interpreted to say more than they actually do by well-meaning theologians and lay-persons. He cites several examples from scripture where the words use their common meaning where it would be clearly erroneous to ascribe to them extra meaning. Many of these passages are the same ones used to support the concept of works being a necessary result or fruit of one's salvation.

The concept of the total freeness of salvation contained in the book often draws the accusation of "antinominanism" - "against law" or "lawless." However, the author makes clear in the book that a saved person is profoundly responsible for his actions, and that there are consequences in the life to come for one's disobedience in this life - which is clearly not advocating lawlessness, but does teach the concept of eternal rewards.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grace Triumphant!, January 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Grace in Eclipse: A Study on Eternal Rewards (Paperback)

I agree with Dr. Charles Stanley of "In Touch" and Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta, "A need has arisen in the evangelical community for a return to the simple message of salvation by faith alone." (Grace in Eclipse - Forward) "Grace in Eclipse" helps to address this need by showing that many passages which people have confused into teaching salvation by works or proof of salvation by works, actually teach the often forgotten subject of eternal rewards.

For example, the phrase "inherit the kingdom" is connected with works time and time again in the New Testament. It does not make theological sense to assume this phrase refers to eternal salvation. Otherwise, works-salvation is being taught, which the Bible has made clear in many places that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. In addition, this assumption does not make sense with the actual words of the text itself. If someone told you that you are going to "inherit Michael Jordan's home" versus that your are going to be allowed to "live in Michael Jordan's home", any reasonable person would know that what is being spoken of is two very different things. Thus, "inheriting the kingdom" is an eternal reward based on works, that needs to be kept distinct from eternal salvation based on faith. This is the type of clear biblically based analysis of passages that I really appreciate about this book. Of course the book is much more eloquent than I am in expressing and teaching these ideas.

Grace in Eclipse helps to bring out the light of understanding on many difficult passages of the Bible by remaining true to the actual text of the passage and by remaining true to the rest of Scripture. This is a book that seeks the meaning of difficult passages based on the passages themselves and not through some preconceived theological grid. I recommend that all who are seeking the truth read the book and decide for themselves.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on eternal rewards!, January 24, 2000

By 

Bob Wilkin (Irving, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grace in Eclipse: A Study on Eternal Rewards (Paperback)

This is the best book on eternal rewards today. It offers wonderful insight into difficult passages. Zane has a marvelous way of explaining the Bible.

Zane Hodges was my professor and mentor in seminary. His life matches his beliefs. He is an extremely gracious and godly man.

I highly recommend this book.

Bob Wilkin, Ph.D. Author of Confident in Christ: Living by Faith Really Works