The Sovereign Grace of God: A Biblical Study of the Doctrines of Calvinism

by James R. White

A right understanding of who God is and who man is the foundation for the proper view of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without an accurate understanding, we can never fully comprehend or appreciate the awesome sovereign grace of God. Does the Bible really teach the doctrines known as Calvinism? Are the concepts of total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistable grace, and perserverance of the saints based merely on the speculations of theologians or are they actually found clearly revealed in Scripture? In this essential book, the reader is led through a fundamental study of Scripture to scrutinize what God declares concerning these vital doctrines. Whether lay Christian or clergy, we each need to struggle through these difficult questions with the assurance that the Holy Spirit of God will not reveal something in the Scriptures that is not important for God's people to understand, embrace, and benefit from. Come along and learn about the incredible sovereign grace of God!

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

James White is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, a Christian apologetics organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a professor, having taught Greek, Systematic Theology, and various topics in the field of apologetics. He has authored or contributed to more than twenty four books, including The King James Only Controversy, The Forgotten Trinity, The Potter’s Freedom, and The God Who Justifies. He is an accomplished debater, having engaged in more than one-hundred forty moderated, public debates around the world with leading proponents of Roman Catholicism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Mormonism, as well as critics such as Bart Ehrman, John Dominic Crossan, Marcus Borg, and John Shelby Spong. In recent years James has debated in such locations as Sydney, Australia, as well as mosques in Toronto, London, and South Africa. He is an elder of the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church, has been married to Kelli for more than thirty two years, and has two children, and one grandchild, Clementine.

Reviews

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me far too long to read due to a myriad of distractions and general procrastination. Which is a shame because this is a book that respects your time and is brief yet meaty. Very good start, or reaffirmation, of studying God’s sovereignty and how reformed theology structures itself and what it actually states. Highly recommend.

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Presuppositional approach to the topic and the best intro to the subject I’ve read.

[Patrick Lacson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As persuaded Calvinist this book reaffirms all of what I believe about God's grace in salvation. As a true baptist, White cites the 1689 baptist confession and demonstrates that calvinism was a historically baptist position.

The strengths of this book are as follows
* very accessible for the Christian at junior high reading level
* very clear arguments from the Scriptures
* very brief at less than 200 pages.
* appendix offers excellent answers to common objections

The weaknesses of this book are:
* Limited atonement view could be stronger. A revised edition to address multiple intentions (which I don't believe in, but promoted by other respected theologians) view on limited atonement could be addressed.
* Places the history of the issues as a separate chapter instead of in the beginning (my preference)

Overall I would whole-heartedly recommend this book.

Other books in this genre: 5 points by John Piper, Jim Boice "whatever happened to the Gospel of Grace", R.C. Sproul "Reformation Theology". I think this book leans more on the biblical arguments, Sproul leans on the historical issues and theological implications, Piper shows the glory of God from exegetical arguments. Boice provides a good mix but focuses on the solas of the reformation and not so much on the classic TULIP acronym.

[kenzimone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing and in-depth look into the five points of Calvinism. James White writing is, as always, easily understood and inspired and I'd recommend this book to everyone and anyone who consider themself a believer in Christ.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to learn about the biblical support for believing in the Doctrines of Grace. James White takes readers through each of the six points of (s)tulip, showing the biblical support for each point. A great book for those looking to better understand the bible and predestination.

[Simon Wartanian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Good job brother White! Loved the Appendix on Isaiah, he's my favorite OT prophet and the first evangelist!

[Todd Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice fresh approach to the subject. White does a good job of presenting the truth. Also, this book is not just a reworded copy of previous books on this subject. A good read.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Deep Dive Into the Doctrine of God

James White takes us into the deep end of the pool in explaining God's Sovereignty from a Reformed perspective in the best of layman terms possible. More than just describing and defending God's Sovereignty, White explains and defends it within the scope of the Doctrines of Grace. Thus, in speaking of God's Sovereignty he attempts (and in estimation successfully so) to prove the validity of the Doctrines of Grace. He does this by citing numerous proof texts from Scripture alone. At the end he provides a section consisting of common questions asked concerning the Doctrines of Grace with succinct answers grounded in the doctrine of God's Sovereignty and Scripture. I have to admit that I came to this book with a lot of questions concerning the Doctrines of Grace in terms of God's Sovereignty. I do not doubt God's absolute Sovereignty but I have puzzled often over His Sovereignty in relation to free will. The good news here in this book is that White seems to believe that the answer to this question is one of faith for there is from a human perspective a paradox in relation to these ideas. Yet Scripture consistently teaches God's Sovereignty and man's responsibility. Ultimately I whole heartily recommend this book for anyone who has questions concerning God's Sovereignty in relation to the Doctrines of Grace.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

White offers a very good, concise case for the merits of Calvinism. He presents a six-petaled tulip rather than five petals, beginning with the sovereignty of God rather than the total depravity of man. There are three especially good things about this title. First, he weaves Scripture throughout each of the six points he develops. Rather than just relying on philosophical or rational arguments, he continues to go back to the Bible. Second, his language is very down-to-earth and non-technical. While this author's intellect would enable him to pen a lofty presentation, he instead communicates in simple yet profound terms. Third, he gives a very brief overview of the history of the Reformation and marks the place of the doctrines of grace within the thought of Luther, Calvin, and other leading figures of the Sola Scriptura movement. Though I don't consider myself a Calvinist, this book is very well-written. I recommend it as a good primer for anyone wanting to gain a better understanding of the doctrines of grace that many believers today embrace.

[Nnamdi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purely Scriptural!

The biblical perspective of salvation is clearly presented in the five points of Calvinism that it truly takes a denial of self and our natural inclination to adhere to teachings that oppose its truth to not believe its very scriptural and Pauline foundation.

It affects our evangelism, the presentation of the gospel and the way we love our neighbour. For as God is sovereign, there’s a deep assurance that He will do what He says in His word. He will bring it to pass as the Initiator, and will see it through till the very end as the Finisher.

Well written and straight to the point on all the five points. Dr James White has proven once again that when we let the scripture speak for itself, we gain vast riches of truth that are normally beyond fleshly human comprehension.

[Justin Feland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful basic introduction to the doctrines of grace. James White is very knowledgeable in this area and is a reliable source to get some of the best argumentation on the topic. If someone would read this book, they would walk away with a good grasp of the basic tenets of Reformed Soteriology.

That being said, this book is not (necessarily) a scholarly book, but a popular one. Its intention is not to be exhaustive, but just to give a brief overview of the basic arguments for the position. In that sense, it offers an excellent jumping off point for further personal study.

Highly recommended as an introduction to Reformed Theology. A helpful tool.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully consistent exposition of the doctrines of grace! As many before him, Dr. White has demonstrated that the Reformed understanding ("Calvinism") of God's sovereignty in all things, and specifically with regard to salvation, is the only one that can consistently provide exegesis of the relevant passages. It is not new, and is straightforwardly Biblical. The very brief answers to some objections was also excellent, especially the last two, with his comments regarding God (so it is said) "forcing" people to believe, and his response to the "puppets" argument.

[Carrie L. Mistler]

Excellent Resource

For the one who would say they are Reformed, a 5 point Calvinist it is quite an encouragement. To the one who would struggle with this my prayer for that person would be Pray for God to open your eyes to see what He has in this resource for you and keep an open mind. And then like the Bereans search the scriptures asking God for wisdom and insight.

[Corey Keast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done

Very well spoken teachings on the Doctrines of Grace. I appreciate all the hard work James White puts into his presentations and how he continues to expound on Scripture and destroy works based salvation. We truly need more men like him within the church.

[Brian James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the doctrines of grace

One of the best overviews I have read on the topic, if I were teaching introductory or intermediate level about this I would recommend this book.

[William Dicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

White explains the sovereign Grace of God in a way that all can understand.

[Alex Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Love of God: Election

If you are looking into the Sovereignty of God this little book could help you along the Way.

Yours in Christ,

Alex

[Sebastian Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book

This is a great book , if be Christian it will challenge you. If you new believer well let the real truth be known

[Malachi Liberda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and exegetical.

[Nick Prodromou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Cameron Borders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fundamental.