<transcy>Grace defined and defended (La grâce définie et défendue)</transcy>
Grace is a central doctrine of the gospel that must be clearly defined so that it can be celebrated, savored and firmly defended. In this book, Kevin DeYoung takes us back to the Canons of Dordrecht, a 17th century document originally written to precisely and faithfully define this precious doctrine.
Through the three sections of the book which cover respectively history, theology and practical application, the author explores what led to the writing of the Canons, the relevance of the five doctrines they explain and the importance of this document for the Christian faith today.
At a time when so many people are content with vague generalities that dilute the truth, Kevin DeYoung shows us how the Canons of Dordrecht constitute a faithful testimony of the precise nature of God's supernatural, sovereign, redemptive and regenerative grace.
Author
KEVIN DEYOUNG (M. Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is the Senior Pastor of Christ Covenant Church located in Matthews, North Carolina. He is also chairman of The Gospel Coalition, blogger for DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed, assistant professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte, North Carolina) and doctoral candidate at the University of Leicester. He is the author of several books, including Crazy Life , The Rift in Our Holiness and The Ten Commandments .
Recommendations
“Kevin DeYoung's book, Grace Defined and Defended , is an indispensable tool for any student of theology, as it provides an understanding of the historical and theological context of the five points of Calvinism. This commentary on the Canons of Dordrecht not only highlights an important part of the history of the Protestant Church, it brings the doctrine of sin, grace and salvation to the fore in an accessible and uplifting way. »
- JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BIESELAAR, Ph. D.; responsible for 2nd cycle studies and professor at the School of Evangelical Theology of Quebec (ETEQ), in partnership with Laval University; pastor of the Alliance Chrétienne Missionionnaire church, Gatineau
"By the time I was asked to write this counsel, I had begun a study of the book of Isaiah. What an extraordinary prophecy! As much as we are speechless by the absolute sovereignty of the three times holy God, we are also amazed by his infinite grace towards us through the sacrifice of his servant, Jesus Christ! The sovereign grace of the Eternal God is the message that runs through all of the scriptures. With the clarity and creativity that mark his writings, Kevin DeYoung leads us to be dazzled again by the sovereign grace of our benevolent God. »
- BERNARD WESTERVELD, pastor, Reformed Church St-Marc, Quebec
“As evangelical Christians we are used to the concept of 'grace'. And that is precisely the problem. When we take the grace of God for granted, it is because we have forgotten what makes grace grace. This short book by Kevin DeYoung filled with Bible truths will benefit our souls. This leap into the past, through this 17th century confession of faith, will help us better understand, appreciate and grasp the sovereign grace of God. This book presents the truths that have had the most impact on my Christian life. »
- BENJAMIN EGGEN, coordinator of the blog La Rébellution; author of Thirst for more? ; co-author of the book A life of challenges
"The doctrine of salvation is often a battleground with its many debates over agency, election, predestination, assurance of salvation, and the like. In fact, the different soteriological positions emerge from one thing: our conception of the grace of God. This book takes us back to the historical theological foundation where these doctrines of grace were defined and defended. A necessary and beneficial reading. "
- GAÉTAN BRASSARD, Senior Pastor of Le Portail Church
“Although many Reform Christians talk about TULIP, they too often overlook the fertile soil from which this flower sprouted: the Canons of Dordrecht. Yet this historic statement of faith is replete with Bible truth wisely designed to encourage love for the Triune God and evangelism of the lost. This brief exposition of the Canons by DeYoung is ideal either for personal study or for doctrine lessons. It is also very useful for small groups seeking to understand the controversy over Arminianism and why the Reformed doctrine of salvation by grace alone prompts us to live for the glory of God alone.
- JOEL R. BEEKE, Director and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; pastor, Heritage Reformed Congregation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; also author of Reformed Preaching
"Why would a contemporary theologian pastor as savvy as Kevin DeYoung take us four hundred years back to a place few of us could locate on a map to meet people we are unable to pronounce?" the names ? And why should we join him? At least three reasons come to mind. As 21st-century Christians, (1) we need to remember that "those who cannot remember the past are doomed to reproduce it"; (2) we need to meet believers who thought deeply and were passionately attached to the glory of God in the gospel; and (3) we must take root in nourishing theological soil which will bring more clarity to our thinking, which will create stability in our life, and which will introduce doxology into our service to God. Grace defined and defended helps us do all of this. »
- SINCLAIR B. FERGUSON, Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; member of the college of teachers, Ligonier Ministries
"DeYoung manages to bring back a four hundred year old event to meet the present needs of the Church and theology, in a clear style, with strong theological observations, a pastoral tone and a practical clarification of biblical notions difficult. This book will help us understand that these Canons of Dordrecht are not just history and that we must continue to work using their message.
- HERMAN SELDERHUIS, Professor of Church History, Theological University Apeldoorn; director, Refo500
"Seeing a book on the Canons of Dordrecht encouraged me so much. And that's not just because it explores the finely honed confession of Reformed thought, but also because it brings out the precision of biblical faithfulness. Our modern culture today, which tends to prioritize emotional reasoning over deep reflection, is in dire need of a concise summary of this catechism which emphasizes the doctrines of grace. This book is a resounding call for every Christian to avoid false reasoning and to root his life in historical and denominational faith, biblically and theologically faithful to the Scriptures.
- STEPHEN T. UM, Senior Pastor, Citylife Presbyterian Church of Boston; author of Micah For You
Table of contents
Preface to the French edition
Introduction: In praise of precision
1. The Purpose and Good Pleasure of God in Predestination: The First Main Point of Doctrine
2. Redemption Accomplished and Applied: The Second Main Point of Doctrine
3. Human corruption, divine conversion: the third and fourth main points of doctrine
4. He who has started a good work will bring it to completion: the fifth main point of doctrine
Appendix 1: Rejection of the errors which disturbed the Dutch churches for a time
Appendix 2: Conclusion: rejection of the false accusations
Appendix 3: The opinions of the Remonstrants (1618)
Appendix 4: Biblical evidence in the Canons of Dordrecht
Details
Original title : Grace Defined and Defended
Author : Kevin DeYoung
Publisher : Éditions La Rochelle
Publication : November 2020
ISBN : 9782924895146
Pages : 162
Dimensions : 5.5 "x 8.5"
Format : paperback
Weight : 204 g