What do you think?
Rate this book
Simply by Grace: An Introduction to God's Life-Changing Gift
Simply by Grace is an easy-to-read introduction to a core Christian belief. By looking at the major questions and issues that surround the concept of grace, Charles C. Bing helps readers understand and appreciate this God-given gift and how simple it really is.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2009
16 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 23, 2022
Couldn't love this book any more. Short, clear, and packed with grace.
September 3, 2016
Excellent and a breath of fresh air. Bing is clear, straightforward and unapologetic—and gracious—as he deals with both controversial and critical subjects. I love authors who are unashamed of a clear position on Scripture without being heady about it! Appreciated his clarity and careful handling of sometimes difficult texts, as well as his obvious experience and understanding of how these issues effect the lives of both believers and unbelievers. Even if you come away disagreeing with him on some fine points, your faith and joy in the God of all grace will only be increased.
August 31, 2017
Bing does a really good job showing the themes and particulars in the foundational book of Romans. His illustrations are excellent. He notes that the "golden chain" in Romans 8:29-30 is all God's work and significantly sanctification is not mentioned there because that process (of maturity) involves our participation and therefore is not guaranteed. His book elucidates how confused the gospel is when there is no clarity about the finished work of Christ. Bing's manner is gentle and genuine even when dissecting all the ways the gospel gets twisted. I have given this book away with confidence: simple, clear and well documented.
May 12, 2020
This is a good introduction to free grace theology however it most likely will not presuade anyone. Bing does an excellent job with illustrations. For a much more thorough treatment see Dillows work Final Destiny
June 24, 2019
This book has been a game changer for me. To say it has helped me in my Christian walk is an understatement. Ideas are presented n a clear, concise manner, and is backed up with specific scripture references.
July 12, 2016
This is one of the best Christian books I have ever read, and I would recommend it to absolutely everyone! It is short, clear, and gets right to the heart of the gospel. Bing explains what Christians mean when we say we are saved by grace, what grace is and isn't, and the implications of grace for the Christian life. This is an excellent book for anyone to read, not just new Christians or pre-Christians, although it is especially useful for these two groups. Even after being Christian for nearly my whole life, and despite years spent studying theology and attending seminary, I have never come across such a clear and consistent presentation of what the gospel is as in Simply By Grace. Every Christian should read this book!
In particular, I was most impressed with his discussion of faith versus discipleship (chapter 11), and the problems that come when we get the two confused (which many Christians seem to do - even pastors and theologians!). Chapter 13 is also great which gives tips on how to share the gospel correctly and clearly without phrasing it in confusing ways that may give the impression that works are required to be saved. Yet throughout this book, Bing is able to emphasize that Christians should indeed turn away from sin and do good works, so he cannot be accused of being antinomian, but does not make these things mandatory for salvation, which I think is correct (e.g. the thief on the cross). His excellent balance between salvation by faith alone but emphasis on the importance of good works and turning from sin is scriptural and useful to keep both in proper perspective.
His discussion of eternal security (chapter 6) was possibly the only weaker point of this book. While I strongly agree with his point that once we become a new creation and are indwelled and sealed with the Holy spirit that we cannot lose our salvation, I was less satisfied by how he does not deal closely with some of the difficult Bible verses that are often used to suggest a Christian can lose their salvation. If you want a more scriptural explanation of eternal security which agrees with Bing's views, you should see Appendix 14 in Norman Geisler's book Chosen But Free (3rd ed.), which makes the same argument but looks more in depth at the scriptural evidence and how to explain the difficult verses.
In particular, I was most impressed with his discussion of faith versus discipleship (chapter 11), and the problems that come when we get the two confused (which many Christians seem to do - even pastors and theologians!). Chapter 13 is also great which gives tips on how to share the gospel correctly and clearly without phrasing it in confusing ways that may give the impression that works are required to be saved. Yet throughout this book, Bing is able to emphasize that Christians should indeed turn away from sin and do good works, so he cannot be accused of being antinomian, but does not make these things mandatory for salvation, which I think is correct (e.g. the thief on the cross). His excellent balance between salvation by faith alone but emphasis on the importance of good works and turning from sin is scriptural and useful to keep both in proper perspective.
His discussion of eternal security (chapter 6) was possibly the only weaker point of this book. While I strongly agree with his point that once we become a new creation and are indwelled and sealed with the Holy spirit that we cannot lose our salvation, I was less satisfied by how he does not deal closely with some of the difficult Bible verses that are often used to suggest a Christian can lose their salvation. If you want a more scriptural explanation of eternal security which agrees with Bing's views, you should see Appendix 14 in Norman Geisler's book Chosen But Free (3rd ed.), which makes the same argument but looks more in depth at the scriptural evidence and how to explain the difficult verses.
December 13, 2012
Excellent book, boiling down the Gospel to its essential element: Grace. We are saved by grace, not by works. Anyone who adds works as any kind of requirement or proof of salvation is distorting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Works are for sanctification, not to be used to "check fruit". Whether or not we get into Heaven is determined by grace, alone, through faith, alone, in Christ, alone. Works determine our status with regard to service in the Kingdom to come, after Jesus comes back to Earth.
Charlie Bing explains this as clearly as it's ever been explained (next to Charles Ryrie's "So Great Salvation".
Charlie Bing explains this as clearly as it's ever been explained (next to Charles Ryrie's "So Great Salvation".
May 10, 2016
I read this book from my spiritual life class in Bible college. This book is so beautifully written and so true to the Bible. Charlie Bing is actually one of the missionary's of the our church. He is such a great man and writer. Highly recommend it if you need a reminder of God's grace.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews