Saved by Grace: The Essence of Christianity

by Jack Cottrell

Part One of this book is a series of ten lessons I call “Grace Distinctions.” This description comes from my 60 years of studying and teaching theology, during which I have come to think of theology as “the art of making distinctions.” I have especially found that a proper understanding of grace requires making some very important distinctions. When I was teaching grace in the seminary, I came to the point where my beginning lectures for the course were an exposition of these distinctions. The ten lessons in the first section of this book are intended to set forth this material. Sometimes the same ideas will come up again in Part Two.

The main section of this book is Part Two ("Grace Accomplished and Applied"), which is a series of 14 lessons on what it means to be “saved by grace.” These lessons are presented in a simple and orderly manner that I hope can be understood by prospective Christians, new Christians, seasoned Christians. These lessons can be used for evangelistic purposes, for small group studies, for personal devotions, or for sermon ideas. (I do recommend that teachers, preachers, and group leaders using this for such purposes also use and study the larger volume "Set Free! What the Bible Says About Grace", ( using the table of contents and the indexes to find more extensive developments of the subjects given in more abbreviated form in this small book.)

My goal and prayer is May God use this little book (through you, the reader) to reach multitudes with the message of His grace, and to lead them to a richer and deeper understanding of the “blessed assurance” of salvation.

JACK COTTRELL – SEPTEMBER 2017

Genres: Theology

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 26, 2017

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent presentation

This is a good bridge study of grace for those who want something not elementary, but at the same time not doctoral level theology. Do Cottrell takes complex ideas and makes them understandable for the layperson. Well written and well ordered, though I found the ending a bit abrupt.

[TonyWS · Rating 1 out of 5]

Without a doubt, this is the most irrational, poorly argued book I’ve ever read. The categories provided are entirely read into the text and the proof verses provided hardly ever provide even the faintest support for the position. One particularly egregious example early on is ch 6. To prove faith is a work of grace obedience that we do (not law obedience, which is itself an unfounded and irrational distinction), Cottrell cites John 6:26-29, either hoping the reader doesn’t look it up or blinded by his own conclusions so he can’t notice when it says “this is the work of God” in verse 29.

I will almost always support reading people you disagree with. Except here. This isn’t worth the time. There’s a reason the theology this book is used to support was already anathematized 1600 years ago (the teacher who gave this book to me is a self-professed Pelagian). Save yourself the trouble and read Calvin, Luther, Arminius, an ante-Nicaean father, or a Roman or Eastern pope. Even if you disagree, and you will with at least someone from that list, you’ll find good arguments in all and each will prompt you to see God’s beauty and praise Him for it. Not this. I have an aneurism now.

[Richard H Coller · Rating 5 out of 5]

God's Grace and sovereignty truthfully explained.

Jack Cottrell beautifully and simply details God's grace and sovereignty truthfully explained. A must-read for grasping free will theism without determinism philosophy.

[Jason Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Quick Read

I read this book with the assistance of audible in one sitting. I’m still not sure that I am completely on the same page with Cotrell’s view on Baptism but this book challenged me in some really great ways.

[Adam Bloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Cottrell is the theologian of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, but the beauty of the CC/CofC is that not everyone within has to agree with him (I agree with him on most of this work). It's a short book on faith worth recommending to others.