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What's So Great about the Doctrines of Grace?
Do Christians choose to have faith, or is faith a supernatural work of God? Far from an abstract intellectual exercise, this question has vast implications for the hope, joy, and assurance of the Christian life. When the truth of God’s sovereign grace breaks into our minds and hearts, it changes everything.
In What’s So Great about the Doctrines of Grace? Dr. Richard D. Phillips takes us on a tour of the doctrines of grace, also known as the five points of Calvinism. With clear biblical exposition, he helps us to see the extent of our corruption in sin, to anchor our faith in the fullness of grace, and to trust in God’s promise to finish what He started—the salvation of His people. When we rely on God’s all-sufficient grace, we can truly live for His all-consuming glory.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2018
13 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Richard D. Phillips
80 books42 followersRichard D. Phillips (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the senior minister of Second Presbyterian Church of Greenville, South Carolina. He is a council member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, chairman of the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, and coeditor of the Reformed Expository Commentary series.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 30, 2019
Phillips sets out to provide a summary and devotional value of the Doctrines of Grace. In this short work, he explains the Reformed doctrine of the sovereignty of God and the 5 points of Calvinism. There is some encouragement to be found in his explanation and application, but I wished it was more exegetically driven. While I affirm his arguments and statements, I think they would be relatively unconvincing to someone outside the Reformed tradition. A useful resource, but not the best of its kind.
June 6, 2025
I'm just beginning to explore the Calvinism vs. Arminianism debate, and it hurts my brain a little. What stands out to me most about Calvinism is how strongly it emphasizes God’s sovereignty. On the flip side, one of the hardest parts for me to accept is the idea that Jesus died only for the elect.
There are aspects of Calvinism that I really connect with, but others that I find difficult to accept. Some of the terminology, especially at first glance, can come across as off-putting. I never would have expected Calvinism to be described as “the doctrines of grace” since I thought it focused more on free will and God’s sovereignty than salvation.
One concept I’m still struggling to understand is how Calvinism distinguishes between God’s sovereign control over everything and His foreknowledge. That part remains a bit unclear to me.
There are aspects of Calvinism that I really connect with, but others that I find difficult to accept. Some of the terminology, especially at first glance, can come across as off-putting. I never would have expected Calvinism to be described as “the doctrines of grace” since I thought it focused more on free will and God’s sovereignty than salvation.
One concept I’m still struggling to understand is how Calvinism distinguishes between God’s sovereign control over everything and His foreknowledge. That part remains a bit unclear to me.
January 6, 2022
Jan 5, 2022 * 4.5 stars
August 30, 2018
Simply put, the doctrine of irresistible grace states that sinners are converted to faith in Christ because the sovereign God extends His mighty power to change their hearts through the Gospel.
Using the 5 points of Calvinism - it is appropriate for the 5 points of Calvinism to conclude with a matter of personal application. TULIP begins with man's problem: total depravity. It answers this problem with three gracious doctrines, each focused on a different person of the divine Trinity; the Father's unconditional election, the Son's limited atonement, and the Spirit's enlivening work of irresistible grace. We need now to return to the life of the believer to see how grace works out in practice. This is the issue with the P of Tulip: the perseverance of the saints.
We can know about the doctrine of grace however, it another thing to experience the doctrine of Grace. I appreciated reviewing the TULIP in the light of grace as it brings home God's sovereignty and my lack of "keeping" up. It is human nature to work for ones salvation. To do all the right things, however with that mindset, we look to ourselves instead of who God is. In my own experience, I do that more than I realize. In the doing, I lose the awe and gratitude of what Christ has done. Christianity is not meant to be an ideology, full of good deeds but a person we cling to that compels in thankfulness a grace filled life.
This is a short study that contrasts Armenian theology and that of the Reformed in the doctrine of Grace. The grace of God is really about the sovereignty of God. It has to start with knowing our depravity so that we may know the glory. In knowing the glory, we experience grace in all that we do and all that we are. Selah.
A Special Thank you to Reformation Trust Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Using the 5 points of Calvinism - it is appropriate for the 5 points of Calvinism to conclude with a matter of personal application. TULIP begins with man's problem: total depravity. It answers this problem with three gracious doctrines, each focused on a different person of the divine Trinity; the Father's unconditional election, the Son's limited atonement, and the Spirit's enlivening work of irresistible grace. We need now to return to the life of the believer to see how grace works out in practice. This is the issue with the P of Tulip: the perseverance of the saints.
We can know about the doctrine of grace however, it another thing to experience the doctrine of Grace. I appreciated reviewing the TULIP in the light of grace as it brings home God's sovereignty and my lack of "keeping" up. It is human nature to work for ones salvation. To do all the right things, however with that mindset, we look to ourselves instead of who God is. In my own experience, I do that more than I realize. In the doing, I lose the awe and gratitude of what Christ has done. Christianity is not meant to be an ideology, full of good deeds but a person we cling to that compels in thankfulness a grace filled life.
This is a short study that contrasts Armenian theology and that of the Reformed in the doctrine of Grace. The grace of God is really about the sovereignty of God. It has to start with knowing our depravity so that we may know the glory. In knowing the glory, we experience grace in all that we do and all that we are. Selah.
A Special Thank you to Reformation Trust Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
February 19, 2019
A good brief intro/overview of the doctrines of grace and the beauty and value of each. As Phillips puts it in his preface, “To love the doctrines of Grace is to love God as He has revealed Himself in His Word. He is the ‘God of all grace’ (1 Peter 5:10), and unless we anchor our faith in the fullness of grace taught in Scripture, we will never glorify God for our salvation as He so richly deserves.”
[Note: This is not an in depth exposition. I recommend Joel Beeke’s “Living for God’s Glory” for further/deeper study.]
[Note: This is not an in depth exposition. I recommend Joel Beeke’s “Living for God’s Glory” for further/deeper study.]
September 10, 2020
This book is an excellent introduction to the Doctrines of Grace! One of my favorite books right now! Definitely will read again!
December 23, 2019
“Our goal in these studies is not merely to learn the doctrines of grace, but to receive and experience the grace of the doctrines of grace.”
Such is the statement of the author in regards to the purpose of the book; in my estimation he did so quite well! While this is certainly not an in-depth, scholarly study (nor is it meant to be!), Phillips does give a succinct and, for the most part, very well defended description of the doctrines of grace (also known as the “five points of Calvinism”). However, I am thankful that he goes beyond merely defining and defending them; he also applies them to the life and heart of the Christian, showing how these doctrines are not mere studies in intellectualism or vain and empty concepts drawn up by theologians in ivory towers, but rather are heart-warming biblical truths that show a God actively and effectively pursuing, obtaining, and preserving His people.
Though I am a five-point Calvinist myself and agree therefore with the conclusion he drew in the chapter, I did find Phillips’ exegesis of Matthew 9:9 in the chapter on irresistible grace a bit lacking. It felt as though he made a couple leaps that weren’t necessarily in the text (I.e. the fact that Matthew’s heart wasn’t in any way affected by the miracles that he may (or may not) have been aware of going on in the city. It could very well be that his heart was beginning to be stirred and the moment Jesus called him was the last straw. But I digress...). However, the rest of the chapter, and the book for that matter, was exegetically solid and straight-forward, intellectually enlightening, and incredibly encouraging.
I highly recommend this book to those wondering, “What is So Great About the Doctrines of Grace?”
Such is the statement of the author in regards to the purpose of the book; in my estimation he did so quite well! While this is certainly not an in-depth, scholarly study (nor is it meant to be!), Phillips does give a succinct and, for the most part, very well defended description of the doctrines of grace (also known as the “five points of Calvinism”). However, I am thankful that he goes beyond merely defining and defending them; he also applies them to the life and heart of the Christian, showing how these doctrines are not mere studies in intellectualism or vain and empty concepts drawn up by theologians in ivory towers, but rather are heart-warming biblical truths that show a God actively and effectively pursuing, obtaining, and preserving His people.
Though I am a five-point Calvinist myself and agree therefore with the conclusion he drew in the chapter, I did find Phillips’ exegesis of Matthew 9:9 in the chapter on irresistible grace a bit lacking. It felt as though he made a couple leaps that weren’t necessarily in the text (I.e. the fact that Matthew’s heart wasn’t in any way affected by the miracles that he may (or may not) have been aware of going on in the city. It could very well be that his heart was beginning to be stirred and the moment Jesus called him was the last straw. But I digress...). However, the rest of the chapter, and the book for that matter, was exegetically solid and straight-forward, intellectually enlightening, and incredibly encouraging.
I highly recommend this book to those wondering, “What is So Great About the Doctrines of Grace?”
April 5, 2024
I quite enjoyed this book. Being in youth ministry, I think this is a valuable resource to be able to explain the doctrines of grace, to younger students. Sure, it may not be approached as academically as some would desire, but it most certainly does not lack biblical proof that is necessary. The biggest bonus in this book, is at the end of each chapter he asks the simple question "What's so great about....". It teaches one to LOVE these doctrines, and magnifies more of who God is. It is a book that I will keep on my shelf for the inevitable time a student comes to me, asking for a clear explanation as to why some have been chosen by God, and others not. I highly recommend this book being on your shelf!
January 14, 2021
Wonderfully accessible, easily relatable theology. I have read of the doctrines of grace many times, had them explained and arguments framed, but Phillips seeks to do more. He seeks to show you why this is really really really good, joyful, soul exalting, God magnifying good news.
May 7, 2020
Decent treatment of the doctrines of grace, and written in such a way as to be accessible to most. Still, my class struggled with some the anecdotes and examples. A companion study guide would be a nice complement to this work.
January 28, 2019
This book was an excellent info to reformed theology or “Calvinism.” It is more of a quick view version, which many would find helpful. There were a few little things that I think could cause one to be a little confused, but those things were addressed. I really enjoyed the book and will read it again!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews