Amazing Grace (Second Edition) [eBook]

God’s Pursuit, Our Response

The doctrine of God’s grace has sparked some heated controversies in the history of the Christian church. What are dispensations of grace? Is grace really irresistible? In Amazing Grace noted theologian Timothy George looks at some of these debated questions. Grounded in Scripture, his insights continually draw the reader back to the fundamental truth of God’s free and sovereign favor to ill-deserving sinners.

Originally written to address the “Calvinism controversy” brewing within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), this study was used in thousands of churches and study groups throughout the SBC and beyond. Now this popular primer on the basic themes of Reformed theology has been updated and expanded. Though written from George’s Southern Baptist perspective, the book’s irenic tone appeals to a wide audience and shows how sound Reformed theology has taken root within several Reformation traditions.

TIMOTHY GEORGE is the founding dean of Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches theology and church history. He serves as executive editor for Christianity Today and has written more than twenty books. His textbook Theology of the Reformers is the standard textbook on Reformation theology in many schools and seminaries.

“Reading this wonderful book resembles exploring a spiritual treasure trove. You encounter one sparkling insight after another regarding God’s marvelous grace. In accessible prose Timothy George helps us to understand better just how amazing God’s sovereign grace actually is. The book’s message will instruct, encourage, and refresh your Christian life. After all, God’s sovereign grace is a worthy subject for our daily reflection and most profound meditation.”
—John D. Woodbridge, Research Professor, Church History and History of Christian Thought, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Amazing Grace by Timothy George is an amazing little book! It is biblical and practical, theological and missional. It delves into the mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, providing wonderful insight while also allowing the tensions of Scripture to remain. I was blessed by the book the first time I read it. I enjoyed this edition even more.”
—Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“It is hard to be simultaneously boring and polarizing, but the Calvinism/Arminianism debates typically are both. The arguments are often filled with the kind of ‘bitter jealousy’ and ‘selfish ambition,’ the Scriptures identify as ‘demonic.’ Timothy George’s Amazing Grace is different. In this book, a world-renowned Christian scholar walks through the biblical texts about God’s purpose of grace in a way that is honest, easy to understand, and charitable to those who disagree. Whether you are a Calvinist, an Arminian, or somewhere in between, you’ll learn something from this book. You’ll also see modeled how to converse with those who disagree with you. And, more than all that, you’ll put the book down at the end and worship our love-driven, grace-filled God. This is the best book on God’s grace in print today.”
—Russell D. Moore, President, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; author, Tempted and Tried

“Biblically faithful, historically well informed, and irenic in tone, this wise work from the pen of Timothy George is a sure guide for anyone perplexed about questions of divine sovereignty, grace, and human responsibility. Highly recommended!”
—Graham A. Cole, Anglican Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School

“Historically informed, timely in its application, and gracious in spirit, George has given us a biblically-based and theologically-formed treatment of the amazing grace of God in the salvation of men and women. This lucid and readable work will be beneficial for many, especially those who struggle with the tensions involved in God’s initiative in our salvation and our response to God’s abounding grace for sinners. I am pleased to recommend this insightful treatment of this important theme, which will be particularly helpful to pastors, church leaders, and church study groups.”
—David S. Dockery, President, Union University

“Amazing Grace is a gracious and graceful defense of the doctrines of grace. Although this book began its life as a piece dedicated to helping Southern Baptists understand the dispute between Calvinists and non-Calvinists in their denomination, it should help anyone appreciate why the apprehension of God’s grace must be absolutely central to Christian life and worship. May many, by God’s grace, read it and adopt its wise and irenic posture to the various controversies that a biblically faithful affirmation of grace can arouse.”
—Mark Talbot, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Wheaton College