So Great Salvation: What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ

by Charles C. Ryrie

What is salvation? How does God work this miracle in our lives?

One of the greatest themes that challenges the heart and mind of man is salvation. It is not a trivial subject; it is a matter of life and death. Many pastors and authors have attempted to expound upon it. Yet how difficult it is to comprehend God's grace that forgives all our sins every day and night, without preconditions, without works.

Scholar and theologian Charles Ryrie writes on the subject of salvation with humility and compassion. He brings clarity where there is confusion. While he quotes carefully and accurately from a wide range of authors, his final authority is the Word of God.

The gospel is the good news of the grace of God to give forgiveness and eternal life. So Great Salvation shows us that we can be confident of our salvation, certain we are forgiven by God, and sure we are destined for heaven.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Philosophy

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1989

About the author

Charles Caldwell Ryrie (born 1925) was a Christian writer and theologian. He graduated from Haverford College (B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., Th.D.) and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (Ph.D.). For many years he served as professor of systematic theology and dean of doctoral studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and as president and professor at Philadelphia College of Bible, now Philadelphia Biblical University. He was a premillennial dispensationalist, though irenic in his approach. He was also the editor of the popular Ryrie Study Bible.

Reviews

[Caison Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read for any disciple of Christ. This book has helped me understand the essential elements of the gospel and how to communicate them properly. As we witness, we often tend to repeat many of the common phrases that were communicated to us from a young age. These phrases, while being helpful to a child’s mind, may confuse the adult listener grasping for a solution to death’s closer door. This book concisely defines grace, justification, redemption, repentance, salvation, sanctification, and many other common words that are vital to a christian’s verbiage. The author also contrasts true Biblical understandings of these words with heretical views. Extremely helpful book for someone seeking to serve in christian ministry.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and how simply everything was written. We have owned it for a long time and although I wasn’t faltering on what I believed, it was excellent at reaffirming all that I’ve been taught and also giving me great insight into further thoughts on those things too. I highly recommend this to others, and it will be a required reading as my kids enter their teen years.

[Carrie Geier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving it 4 stars only because the first chapter seemed to take some verses in revelation perhaps a little out of context to make a point. And all of the scripture quotes were in kjv making it difficult for me to read at times. Otherwise loved how this book emphasized the eternity of salvation and made very clear arguments and statements regarding the doctrine of salvation from the Bible.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice solid book. Short simple chapters.

[Rev Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can watch my full review at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkAdI...

The majority of So Great Salvation was really good, it was great even, but I believe it could have been even better if Ryrie was consistent to rest salvation on faith alone in Christ alone in both the moment we are saved and our assurance after faith instead of bringing divine election to salvation into the picture or our works into the subject of assurance.

Salvation is truly great when our eyes are fixed on Jesus, the One who sits on the right hand of the Father in glory and for the most part Ryrie does a wonderful job at turning our eyes toward Christ and away from what we have done or are doing so for that reason I would recommend for anyone who wants to rejoice over their salvation a fresh read of Charles Ryrie’s So Great Salvation.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Theological view on soteriology. Would NOT recommend this book! Unfortunately, Ryrie goes to great lengths to discredit MacArthur rather than exegiting his own stance adequately. Was a waste of time for me.

[Misty Broqi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book mostly about what it means to be a true christian. Basically showing the fruit of the holy spirit.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good comprehensive look on most aspects affecting salvation. Ryrie attempts to look at most aspects from both sides to give you an somewhat balanced view on the subject. All in all, a good read.

[Read1000books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clear Bible teaching on the topic of salvation, correcting some of the erroneous ideas of "lordship salvation".

[Daniel Alvers · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was disapointing probably because i thought he created a false disagreement.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A CRITIQUE OF (PRE-JOHN MACARTHUR) "LORDSHIP SALVATION"

Charles Ryrie (born 1925) is a theologian who served as professor of systematic theology and dean of doctoral studies at Dallas Theological Seminary until 1983.

He says, "That a Christian can be characterized as carnal cannot be denied, simply because the text of 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 says there were carnal believers at Corinth. Paul addresses these people as 'brethren' and 'babes in Christ.'" (Pg. 30-31)

He summarizes that one need not believe in Christ's second coming in order to be saved; or receive Him as your present intercessor; "But I do need to believe that He died for my sins and rose triumphant over sin and death. I do not need to settle issues that belong to Christian living in order to be saved... I do not need to be willing to give up smoking in order to be saved. Matters of carnality, spirituality, fruit-bearing, and backsliding relate to the Christian life, not to the issue of salvation." (Pg. 40)

He addresses the "lordship" position that a "moment of failure" does not make one not a "disciple," and he then asks whether TWO moments would; "Or a week of defection, or a month, or a year? Or two? How serious a failure and for how long before we must conclude that such a person was in fact not saved?" (Pg. 48) He asks whether a Christian worker on a college campus should insist that a collegian break off an immoral relationship before he/she receives Christ; "In the meantime is that person born again?" (Pg. 49)

Ryrie's book---particularly its frequent illustrations---is an effective presentation of the "non-lordship" view. (For a contrary view, see John MacArthur's The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith?)

[Mónica Ortega · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nunca había leído un libro antiguo, bueno se escribió cuando tenía yo solo 13 años, pero me encanta como el autor nos lleva a reflexionar sobre 14 temas, y preguntas que un nuevo creyente se puede hacer, desde el nuevo nacimiento por la fé en Cristo, hasta la santificación progresiva, que debe haber en su vida por medio de la palabra de Dios, el cuidado de nuestras palabras, la carnalidad, la asistencia a la iglesia etc. Son temas que ayudan al nuevo creyente a caminar como Dios nos manda.
Ampliamente recomendado

[Lora Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read

I really enjoyed reading this book. It helped me understand salvation and the plan God has for our life. It presented the gospel in such an way that them to good news is in fact to good to be true. We must fell the world what God has planned for them and what he has in store for the. God's salvation is so grate everyone should welcome the opportunity to see what all God has in store for those who will only believe.

[Seth Alcorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very well written and provides some solid questions for those who believe in "Lordship Salvation." However, some of Ryrie's arguments against L.S. are very weak and downplay the role of repentance in conversion. This book does help answer some of the straw men used against easy believism however.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read Ryrie and I had him as a teacher at Word of Life. He is a theologian of the highest degree. And yet he wrote this. Even I can refute many of his arguments with Scripture. He uses stories and men to make many of his points. Flimsy defense.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how this book breaks down and explains what different common terms in the Christian belief actually mean. I am happy to be able to keep it and use for further reference as I need it.

[Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent work, quite deep. I like the definition of terms and the logical progression of thought.

[David Martuneac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough yet succinct rebuttal of Lordship salvation.

[Scott Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book of its kind. Must reading for every Christian.

[Natalie Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

Must read for every believer and seeker.

[Landon Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a clear and simplistic explanation of what salvation is and the results of salvation.

[Rod Innis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very good teaching but it was written as a part of a polemic discussion so it does not deal with all issues in a fair and balanced way

[Isaac Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire

[Brandon Siwula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ryrie's position is not as bad as many others in the free grace camp, but still theologically problematic.

[Charles Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

To my deep shame this was a required reading during my theology studies in Argentina, but it was a reading I never read. When the test came about I'd done enough skimming to get by with a decent grade, but I never actually read the book and as I see it now I feel compelled to read it and remedy my errant youth.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ryrie admits right off that he expectss the majority of his readers to share his beliefs. So it reads as a rhetorical manual defining the particulars of that belief, not as a conversion text, which is nice. As such it manages to be inoffensive to a non-believer like myself. However Ryrie suffers from the same problem as most philosophers and eschatalogical writers, i.e. the need to pin everything down, the need to absolutely kknow and define everything about the unknowable. While I often find it amusing to read such word games and logical constructs, I very seldom find them edifying or even educational. And Ryrie isn't nearly a good enough writer to be the exception.

[Steve Lee Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear explanation of a subject that is often misunderstood

What is the requirement for salvation? What does it mean to be "saved by grace?" What of the so-called "Lordship" salvation? What place do works have in our life and how do they affect our salvation? Ryrie answers these and many other questions in a straightforward and comprehensive way. If you have any question about what kind of salvation Jesus purchased for us, and what qualifies us to partake in "So Great Salvation" then you should read this book. It rocks!

[Michael Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryrie emphasizes that the idea of lordship salvation is impossible in a theology of grace, but does it in a balanced way. Assurance of salvation comes as we walk with Jesus as Lord and see fruit in our lives, but salvation is based on faith alone in Christ. Repentance concerning salvation is toward a change in thinking about the person of Jesus, not our works. Overall, a good response to MacArthur's The Gospel According to Jesus.

[Andre Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book on the Subject of Salvation, different bright and informative.

This book sticks close to the subject of our New Life and responsibility of living in the body of Christ.

Finally if you have recently became a new believer in Christ, or if you have already known, God most of your life.
This book will also make a good reference book, that will constantly point you to read your Bible and make it first place.

I highly recommend this book as a good read.

[Eli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though this book was a huge improvement on Zane Hodges' "The Gospel Under Siege", it still fell short of being a great refutation of Lordship theology. While much of the book I agreed with, the overall book was weakly written and not very convincing. I was surprised by some basic exegetical errors that Dr. Ryrie made in a few places. Overall it was okay, but just okay.