Although his purpose is "to explain the role of grace in sanctification," Chapell, president of Covenant Theological Seminary, not only explains fundamental theological concepts, but gives them passion and life through colorful, often poignant illustrations. Chapell argues very carefully that God's grace is the necessary foundation and source for all spiritual growth in the Christian life. He thoughtfully explores the deeply rooted human tendency to turn away from grace, seeking favor and blessing through our own efforts. But he also deals with tougher issues asking, for example, "Can the preaching of grace become an excuse for lawlessness?" He honestly confronts how church leaders are tempted to de-emphasize God's grace in order to prevent chaos. Chapell gives new meaning to the idea of repentance, offers practical and helpful teaching on temptation, shows the often-overlooked role of grace in spiritual warfare, explains the positive role of suffering and paints an inspiring picture of God's love and mercy. Questions at the end of the book will be helpful for group study. Grace is currently a "hot" topic for Christian books and presentations, but Chapell's treatment brings a new depth to the subject, not only in his careful, thorough reasoning but also in his comprehensive use of biblical texts. This depth may prove daunting to some readers, but mature Christians will likely consider Chapell's book a key component of their spiritual journey.
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“The historic Protestant doctrine is that we are not only justified by faith rather than our works, but we are also sanctified by faith rather than our works. Yet, though we give this teaching lip service, very few ministers and Christians know how grace-based sanctification really works. Bryan Chapell has produced a popular, practical, yet theologically sensitive book on this very issue—how God’s gracious acceptance is the dynamic and guide for growth into holy character. This is a great book—an extremely timely book.”
—Timothy Keller, Senior Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City
“With the skill of a surgeon and the joy of a child, Bryan Chapell invites us to walk in a garden of grace. Thanks to publisher and author for this fine work.”
—Max Lucado, author, You Are Special; Minister of Preaching, Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, Texas
“Grace. We have an entire vocabulary of adjectives to describe it when we sing about it. And yet—if the truth be told—we Christians either have a stubborn tendency to refuse really to believe it, or we stumble over its implications. In Holiness by Grace Bryan Chapell comes to help us.”
—Sinclair B. Ferguson, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina
“In this study book, a wise man shows how the grace of God in Christ, and the holy joy of Christian living, go beyond what many think. Would you appreciate a fully biblical and Reformed demonstration of how the love-words and love-works of our triune God transform life? Then you should read and digest Holiness by Grace.”
—J. I. Packer, Board of Governors' Professor of Theology, Regent College
“What a great book! What a necessary book! What a life-changing book! A lack of God’s clear desire for holiness in His people doesn’t come from making the gospel too good . . . it comes from not making it good enough. This is the book for which I have long prayed, and I enthusiastically commend it to you. If you miss it, you’ll be sorry.”
—Steve Brown, Professor of Practical Theology Emeritus, Reformed Seminary, Orlando; radio teacher, Key Life
“It should not be thought of as extraordinary that a book on the subject of holiness puts its focus on the word 'delight.' The very crowning of God’s creation was the placing of his holy creatures, Adam and Eve, in the garden named Eden, which simply means 'delight.' Dr. Chapell makes it clear that the soul’s delight will be realized only by godliness in the Christian life—and that, of course, is what the gift of grace is all about. A scholarly and practical study of 'the beauty of holiness.”
—The Late D. James Kennedy, Former Senior Minister, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church
“Holiness by Grace addresses the tension between human responsibility and divine provision in the process of our sanctification. Dr. Bryan Chapell guides us through these tensions by assuring us again and again of God’s mercy and grace that not only secures our ways to him, but also provides our daily motivation and enablement to serve him. The questions at the end are designed to delve more deeply into these truths leading us in our service to God with the acknowledgment that God must provide what we need to please him. We can never hear enough about God’s grace. This book is a fresh reminder.”
—Rose Marie Miller, missionary; author, From Fear to Freedom
“This is a delightful book, full of sane, practical theology and application. It is not the sort of book that will satisfy armchair theologians pondering exactly how the Mosaic covenant relates to the new covenant; rather, it is the sort of book that teaches Christians how to live—aiming for holiness and delighting in it, responding to grace and being thankful for it, avoiding the countless pitfalls, and learning to please God.”
—D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
“The classic Puritan pastor Richard Sibbes was called 'the heavenly Doctor Sibbes' due in part to his God-given ability to make sovereign grace clear to the spiritually sick and weak and wounded. In that same way, Dr. Chapell is a 'heavenly physical therapist' for in these pages he carefully instructs a church wounded and weak by theological error of the restorative and healing truth of Reformed sanctification. This volume helps the weary walk more holy.”
—Joseph V. Novenson, Senior Teaching Pastor, Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee
“Holiness by Grace is a biblical and doctrinal introduction to grace-based godliness—a guide for recovering Pharisees. Bryan Chapell has a special ability to teach the Bible in a way that refreshes the heart. This book will help you see yourself the way God sees you, so that you can serve him the way he wants to be served.”
—Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College
“Holiness by Grace is a wonderfully clear, biblically nuanced presentation of what it means to truly grow in the grace of God. Chapell is Christ-centered without allowing modern grace movements to become reactions to older legalism. The church needs this book both to correct errors and to guide people more faithfully into the proven paths of the past.”
—John H. Armstrong, Director of Act 3; author, The Compromised Church
“Dr. Bryan Chapell has done a masterful job of demonstrating that a rigorous proclamation of the gospel of God’s grace is not only consistent with a call to holy living, it is the only effective way to enable Christian believers to live out that call. I was personally enriched by his careful use of Scripture as the foundation for the teaching of each chapter. I pray that his influence will give us a generation of preachers who know how to preach grace.”
—Stephen E. Smallman, Assistant Pastor, New Life Presbyterian Church, Glenside, Pennsylvania; Instructor, CityNet Ministries of Philadelphia; author, Spiritual Birthline, Forty Days on the Mountain, and The Walk
“The role of God’s grace in Christian sanctification is so little understood among believers today. Bryan Chapell deftly brings the light of Scripture to bear on this troublesome question through careful exposition and compelling illustrations. I highly recommend this book.”
—Jerry Bridges, author, The Pursuit of Holiness
