The Story of Grace

by Horatius Bonar

In this work Horatuis Bonar takes the reader through the narrative of redemption and the gospel in 'The Story of the Grace'.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian

107 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2010

About the author

Horatius Bonar (19 December, 1808 – 31 May, 1889) was a Scottish churchman and poet.

The son of James Bonar, Solicitor of Excise for Scotland, he was born and educated in Edinburgh. He comes from a long line of ministers who have served a total of 364 years in the Church of Scotland. One of eleven children, his brothers John James and Andrew Alexander were also ministers of the Free Church of Scotland. He had married Jane Catherine Lundie in 1843 and five of their young children died in succession. Towards the end of their lives, one of their surviving daughters was left a widow with five small children and she returned to live with her parents. Bonar's wife, Jane, died in 1876. He is buried in the Canongate Kirkyard.
In 1853 Bonar earned the Doctor of Divinity degree at the University of Aberdeen.

He entered the Ministry of the Church of Scotland. At first he was put in charge of mission work at St. John's parish in Leith and settled at Kelso. He joined the Free Church at the time of the Disruption of 1843, and in 1867 was moved to Edinburgh to take over the Chalmers Memorial Church (named after his teacher at college, Dr. Thomas Chalmers). In 1883, he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland.

Reviews

[Bobby Bonser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book on the story of God's Grace. I wish there were footnotes with all of the scripture references which would be helpful while reading. This book was most certainly written to the unbeliever. It is still encouraging but the reader should be aware of this going into it. The string of about no less than 50 questions in a row at the very end was a bit much for me. But otherwise it was a good book with some great truths

[Alice Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very rich. One of those books you need to read more than once to get it all.

[Jon Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Mostly focuses on the early chapters of Genesis for the initiation of God’s redemptive plan and then the work of Christ for the application of redemption. Good theology and solid devotional content.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Very good explanation of grace and what it truly entails in the world of the saved and unsaved. Simple, beautiful writing!

[Cindymarrelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was challenged by this book. Even though it is written to non-believers, Christians can gain insight into the redemption story God had in place from the start. The author asks a series of thought provoking questions throughout the book and explains theological concepts in a nonthreatening manner. The book was written in 1847 and it made me long for pastors like Horatius Bonar.

The book focuses primarily on Genesis 3 often referred to as “the fall of man”. He introduces, however, that the “fall” was really the introduction of God’s grace. I had never framed the story in the ways that Bonar does and I am grateful for his insight. I also appreciated how he explained the differences between Cain and Abel’s offerings and why God rejected Cain’s. Again, I hadn’t thought of the implications (and I have been a Christian for years).

I recommend the book. Not sure what nonbelievers I would share it with but I am praying over that…I really enjoyed the book. I do agree with other reviewers that Biblical references would have been helpful (although with a simple search, they are easy to find).

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Grace is a short little treatise by Horatius Bonar. I found the forward to be just as challenging as a chapter in the book. Sinclair Ferguson tells us that if you wanna know what Bonner’s writing is like this is where you should go. Now with a title like the story of Grace I expected a biblical theology of grace reaching from Genesis to revelation. And it goes from Genesis. Genesis 1 to Genesis 4. Uses a story as a model, telling us how God created, and how man in response, exalted himself as God. He offers why God allowed sin to enter and out of grace. God meets us in our sin. He does not wait for us to make right because we simply cannot. He helps us to realize how grace is understood and that we are battling against Satan, but more than that the battles with ourselves. He reminds us that Eden is preserved, and currently the sword from the garden has been removed. We have access thanks to the cross. And he ends with the story of two brothers, we have two responses. Will we be like Cain or Abel?

[Connie Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful study in God’s Love…Scottish ‘speaking’ was very interesting and Bonar used many scriptures that filled my heart💕

[Terence · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is different from other Christian books. It paints a picture in words of the Gospel. I can't find a better way to describe it. I enjoyed it.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Story of Grace, Horatius Bonar shows how the gospel is an exhibition of God’s love. Sharing the gospel story in a compelling and captivating way, Bonar demonstrates that God has always been a God of grace.

Sin and Holiness

This is as much a book about sin and holiness as it is about grace. I was most interested to read Bonar’s insights as to why God would allow sin to enter the world:

(1) He wished to show us what sin is,
(2) He wished to show the wickedness of the creature,
(3) He wished to show the union between sin and sin,
(4) He wished to show the creature’s helplessness,
(5) He wished to open up His whole character as the infinite Jehovah,
(6) He wished to make creation more immovable.

Lavish and Outlandish Grace

I marveled at how God shows us grace at the cross—how God could love sinners in this way was something totally unthinkable. This book drove my heart to wonder at the lavish and outlandish grace of God.

With a foreword by Sinclair B. Ferguson and a lightly updated text to reflect modern spellings, this book will bring you face to face with the God of grace.

I received a media copy of The Story of Grace and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep

[Mark A Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using grace as the central theme, Bonar helpfully and heart-warmingly recounts the story of how God loves, saves, and embraces sinners.

The more we think about the richness of God’s grace, the more it moves us to humble thankfulness and deep joy, and Bonar does an admirable job of laying out God’s grace to us.

As I read this book, I found myself nodding along at many points. More than that, I felt my heart stir many times as I was reminded of God’s gracious heart toward a sinner like me.

[Ryanne Molinari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been looking forward to reading more Horatius Bonar since I read one of his books for school two years ago. This book was exactly what I was hoping for!

Written to young Christians as an exposition of the gospel and an exhortation toward repentance and faith, this book is insightful and persuasive. My full review will be live on my blog shortly.

4.3 stars.

[Todd Burgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bonar is fast becoming one of my favorite authors - deep, yet accessible, theological, practical - the last 4 chapters are worth the price of admission!