Book Review: Prepared by Grace, For Grace

When I first saw the title to this book, I thought it was an interesting play on words. Prepared By Grace, For Grace? What are Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley trying to communicate? In the introduction to the book, Beeke and Smalley wrote:

This book is based on the conviction that a righteous and holy God saves sinners "by grace through faith" (Eph. 2:8). The human race fell into sin and misery when Adam despised God's glory and disobeyed His commandment, but God has provided a way of salvation through the death and resurrection of His Son (pg. 1).

The title, Prepared By Grace, For Grace, implies that it is by God's grace that He prepares us to receive that grace. This book is not just a theological book on how that takes place, but this book is about how the Puritans look at the preparation of grace.

Some modern scholars do not like the idea that God prepares people for grace because some believe that God's grace is based upon their decision to receive Jesus such as those who say election is based on what God looked in the past to see a person's "decision" to "accept" Jesus. Also the idea of God preparing people for grace may seem like God is forcing Himself on people which to many pastors, they preach God will never force Himself on anyone. Beeke and Smalley give a simple definition on the puritan doctrine of preparation:

Puritan preparation is the doctrine that God prepares sinners for faith by overcoming obstacles in their minds and consciences to the claims of the gospel (pg. 18).

The whole book addresses the theology of puritans from Augustine to Jonathan Edwards on the doctrine of preparation. It always good to read on the saints of old regarding a doctrine such as this. With the resurgence of Reformed Theology that been spreading for the past few years, it is good to read up on the puritans and what they taught from the Bible. This book is an excellent collection of theology from the puritans on such a controversial topic that should encourage us not only in evangelism but in the preaching of the Bible.

Thanks Reformation Heritage Books for allowing me to review this book.