Tth 560 Doctrine of Grace
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TTH 560 01 -- DOCTRINE OF GRACEInstructor: Jack Cottrell
Course Assignments – Fall 2011Three credit hours
A. RATIONALE.
This course is designed to sharpen the student's understanding of the nature of salvation. Specifically it asks the question, "What does it mean to be saved by grace?"
This is not a study of theologians' views of grace or of the history of the doctrine. The goal of the course
rather is to explore the Biblical teaching about grace and how it relates to subjects such as law, works, the cross, faith, baptism, justification, and assurance.
The course as a whole will emphasize the theme that the heart of grace is justification by the blood of Christ through faith, a proper understanding of which is the key to assurance of salvation. Since this is in effect the fundamental element of the Christian gospel, a proper grasp of these concepts is necessary for a satisfying personal faith and for an adequate presentation of the gospel in evangelistic or witnessing situations. Thus this course is foundational in terms of our mission to train Christian workers for all aspects of service in the church.
B.OBJECTIVES. Upon completion of this course the student should --
1.Understand and be able to explain to others the Bible's teaching about law and grace.
2.Have a clear understanding of and a stronger appreciation of what it means to be personally saved by grace.
3.Have a genuine personal assurance of salvation.
4.Be able to show how the Biblical doctrine of grace integrates with other Biblical doctrines, e.g., the nature of God, the nature of man, and the person and work of Christ.
5.Be able to teach the doctrines of grace to others especially in relation to Romans 1-8.
C. GENERAL INFORMATION.
1.Class Sessions. This course meets on Tuesdays, 3:20 to 6 p.m. Each day the student should bring to class: (1) a Bible (NASB or ESV preferred but not required); and (2) the course outline, "TTH 560 Doctrine of Grace: Course Outline" (2009 edition ONLY), which is available online only. Please do not eat meals during the class session. Stay-awake snacks are OK.
2.Absence Policy. The student is expected to attend every class session. If an absence is necessary, the student should make arrangements to tape the class and listen to the tape. Three absences: extra work may be required. Four absences: may result in exclusion from the course.
3.Grade Determination. R & R of Seamands --- 15%
Second R & R--- 15%
Cottrell reading --- 15%
Examination --- 25%
Final assignment --- 30%
- Deadlines. Each assignment is required to be submitted on or before the date due. Except for the exam and the final assignment, a one-week extension may be granted at the instructor's discretion.
5.The professor reserves the right to change or amend any part of this course plan as deemed necessary.
6.Contacting the instructor: Jack Cottrell, 2700 Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45204. Phone: 513-
244-8166 (office); 812-637-9628 (home). E-Mail: (CCU office).
D.Reading Assignments.
1. All students will read David Seamands, Healing Grace: Finding Freedom from the Performance Trap
(Light and Life Communications, 1999; any edition is OK). Write a “read and report.”
2. All students will read ONE of the following five books, and write a “read and report” on it:
a.Lucado, Max. In the Grip of Grace (Word, 1996).
b.Swindoll, Charles. The Grace Awakening (Word, 1990).
c.Yancey, Phillip. What’s So Amazing About Grace? (Zondervan, 1997).
d.Schreiner, Thomas. 40 Questions About Christians and Biblical Law (Kregel, 2010).
e.Wright, N. T. Justification: God’s Plan and Paul’s Vision (IVP, 2009).
3.All students will read the following material from Jack Cottrell, and report THAT it has been read:
a.The College Press NIV Commentary, Romans, one-vol. edition. (College Press, 2005), pp. 17-298.
b.Set Free!: What the Bible Says About Grace (College Press, 2009).
c.What the Bible Says About God the Redeemer (College Press, 1987; now Wipf and Stock), ch. 2, ch.
5, ch. 6, and pp. 401-441 of ch. 7.
E. “READ AND REPORT.” Read the assigned work and submit a report (paper copy) that includes a good solid
paragraph about each of the following items:
1.Three or four things from the book that were a new or different way of thinking for me. (Explain.)
2.Three or four things from or about the book that were somewhat disappointing to me, and why.
3.Three or four things from the book that I still have questions about, and why.
4.Three or four things from the book that will be quite useful to me in my ministry, and why.
F.SCHEDULED ASSIGNMENTS.
Aug. 23 --First class session.
Sept. 20 -- Submit a “read & report” about either Lucado, Swindoll, Yancey, Schreiner, or Wright.
Oct. 25 --Submit a “read & report” about Seamands, Healing Grace.
Nov. 1 -- A take-home examination will be distributed.
Nov. 8 -- Bring completed mid-term exam to class for grading.
Nov. 22 -- Thanksgiving recess; no class.
Dec. 6 -- In lieu of a final exam, submit the completed final assignment: an essay entitled "Grace, Life and
Ministry: What I Learned in This Course, and How I Plan to Apply It.” Length: about 2000 words;
put the word count on the title page. You do not have to follow strict formal style for this essay. It
will not be accepted after the beginning of the class period on this date. It will be graded and returned
on Dec. 13. Do NOT bind your essay in a clear plastic cover.
Dec. 13 -- Last class session. Submit a report (either on a slip of paper or by e-mail) saying that you have
completed the reading of the Cottrell materials.
G. THEME SONG.
"I am not under law; I'm under grace!
It was grace that rescued me; it was grace that set me free!
I have sought--I have found--a hiding place;
I am not under law; I am under grace!"
DOCTRINE OF GRACE BIBLIOGRAPHY
CINCINNATI BIBLE SEMINARY
Fall 2011
[BOLD TYPE = recommended for Christian workers' libraries.]
I. THE CONCEPT OF GRACE
A. General
Bassler, Jouette M. Navigating Paul: An Introduction to Key Theological Concepts. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2006. New perspective, not necessarily evangelical. Grace PLUS judgment according to deeds.
Best, W. E. Free Grace Versus Free Will. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1977. Strongly Calvinistic.
Boice, James Montgomery. The Glory of God's Grace, and How It Can Change Your Life. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1999. (Reprint of Amazing Grace, Tyndale, 1993.) Calvinistic.
Bonar, Horatius. The Everlasting Righteousness. Hobbs, NM: Trinity Foundation, 1994 reprint (1874).
Booth, Abraham. The Reign of Grace. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1949 reprint of 1768 work. Calvinistic.
Bridges, Jerry. Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1991. Explores the transition from legalism to grace.
Brown, Stephen. When Being Good Isn't Good Enough. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996 reprint (Nelson, 1990). Shows how grace delivers one from bondage to performance.
Bunyan, John. The Doctrine of Law and Grace Unfolded. Swengel, PA: Reiner, 1968 reprint of 1853 work. Freewill Baptist.
Carter, John Ross, ed. Of Human Bondage and Divine Grace: A Global Testimony. Peru, IL: Open Court, 1992. 20 essays claim grace is at the heart of all world religions.
Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Grace: An Exposition of God's Marvelous Gift. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1995 reprint of 1922 work. Calvinistic; dispensational. Early champion of the antiLordship salvation viewpoint.
Chantry, Walter J. God's Righteous Kingdom: Focusing on the Law's Connection with the Gospel. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1980. Calvinistic.
Cheeseman, John, et al. The Grace of God in the Gospel. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1972. Calvinistic.
Clark, Gordon R. The Word Hesed in the Hebrew Bible. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1993.
Cote, Richard G. Universal Grace: Myth or Reality? Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1977. Liberation theology; universalism.
Cottrell, Jack. Set Free! What the Bible Says About Grace. Joplin, MO: College Press, 2009.
DeHaan, Martin R. Law or Grace. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1965. Calvinistic.
Ditmanson, Harold. Grace in Experience and Theology. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1977; reprint, Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2001. Survey of modern theologians' views of grace.
Eastman, Brad, The Significance of Grace in the Letters of Paul. New York: Peter Lang, 1999.
Elert, Werner. Law and Gospel, tr. Edward H. Schroeder. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1967. Lutheran.
Flavel, John. The Method of Grace. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1977 reprint. Calvinistic.
Forde, Gerhard. The Law Gospel Debate. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1968. By a Lutheran author.
Garlington, D. B. "The Obedience of Faith": A Pauline Phrase in Historical Context. Tübingen: J. C. B. Mohr, 1990.
Glueck, Nelson. Hesed in the Bible, tr. Alfred Gottschalk. Cincinnati: Hebrew Union College, 1967. Influential Old Testament study.
Gray, H. D. The Christian Doctrine of Grace. London: Independent Press, 1949.
Hanko, Herman. God’s Everlasting Covenant of Grace. Grandville, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association, 1988. Calvinistic sovereign grace.
Hals, Ronald. Grace and Faith in the Old Testament. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1980.
Hardman, Oscar. The Christian Doctrine of Grace. New York: Macmillan, 1947.
Hoekema, Anthony. Saved by Grace. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989. Calvinistic study of the scope of salvation.
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Horton, Michael Scott. Putting Amazing Back into Grace: Who Does What in Salvation? 2 ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994. Calvinistic.
Hughes, Philip E. But for the Grace of God. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1964. Calvinistic.
Jauncey, Ernest. The Doctrine of Grace: Up to the End of the Pelagian Controversy. London: SPCK, 1925.
Julian, Ron. Righteous Sinners: The Believer's Struggle with Faith, Grace, and Works. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1998.
Kevan, Ernest F. The Grace of Law: A Study of Puritan Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1976 reprint of 1964 work.
Kuyper, Abraham. Particular Grace: A Defense of the Sovereignty of God in Salvation, trans. Marvin Kamps. Grandville, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2002. Calvinistic sovereign grace.
Lindsey, Hal. Amazing Grace. Palos Verdes, CA: Western Front, 1995.
McClain, Alva J. Law and Grace. Chicago: Moody, 1954.
McMinn, Mark. Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling: An Integrative Paradigm. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008.
Mikolaski, Samuel J. The Grace of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1966. A very good study.
Moffatt, James. Grace in the New Testament. New York: Ray Long & Richard R. Smith, 1932.
Phan, Peter C. Grace and the Human Condition. Wilmington, DE: Michael Glazier, 1988. "Message of the Fathers of the Church" series.
Pinnock, Clark H., ed. The Grace of God, the Will of Man: A Case for Arminianism. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1995 (reprint of Zondervan, 1989). Sees salvation as conditional, as opposed to Calvinism.
Pinnock, Clark H., ed. Grace Unlimited. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1975; reprint, Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1999. Again, salvation is conditional, contra Calvinism.
Piper, John. Future Grace. Portland, OR: Multnomah, 1995.
Plumer, William S. The Grace of Christ, or Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1853. Strong Calvinism.
Ramsay, Richard B. Am I Good Enough? Learning To Live by God's Grace. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1992. A brief Calvinistic treatment of some grace and salvation themes.
Ridenour, Fritz. How To Be a Christian Without Being Religious. Glendale, CA: Regal, 1967. Light, perceptive, and useful study of the book of Romans from the standpoint of grace.
Schulz, Thomas N. The Meaning of Charis in the New Testament. Genova, Italy: Editrice Lanterna, 1971.
Shepherd, Norman. The Call of Grace: How the Covenant Illuminates Salvation and Evangelism. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2001. Unusually strong emphasis on the necessity of works.
Smith, Charles Ryder. The Bible Doctrine of Grace and Related Doctrines. London: Epworth, 1956.
Smith, Chuck. Why Grace Changes Everything. Waco: Word, 1995.
Stanley, Andy. How Good is Good Enough? Portland, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2003.
Strombeck, J. F. Grace and Truth: The True Relationship Between Law and Grace. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1991. Focuses on the gospel of John.
Stuhlmacher, P. Reconciliation, Law and Righteousness. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986.
Swindoll, Charles R. The Grace Awakening. Dallas: Word, 1990.
Torrance, Thomas F. The Doctrine of Grace in the Apostolic Fathers. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1960.
Unno, Taitetsu. River of Fire, River of Water: An Introduction to the Pure Land Tradition of Shin Buddhism. New York: Doubleday, 1998.
Van Til, Cornelius. Common Grace and the Gospel. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1972. A Calvinist's explanation of how "nonsaving grace" is given to the entire human race.
Walther, C. F. The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel, tr. W. H. T. Dau. St. Louis: Concordia, 1929. Classical Lutheranism.
Watson, Philip S. The Concept of Grace. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1959.
Whitley, William T., ed. The Doctrine of Grace. London: SCM, 1932.
Williams, Norman P. The Grace of God. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1966.
Yancey, Philip. What's So Amazing About Grace? Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
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B. Restoration Movement Writings
Cottrell, Jack. Baptism: A Biblical Study. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1989. Several chapters emphasize the connection of baptism with grace.
Cottrell, Jack. His Truth. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1989 reprint of 1980 work. Brief doctrinal studies of sinandsalvation themes.
Cottrell, Jack. Set Free! What the Bible Says About Grace. Joplin, MO: College Press, 2009.
Cottrell, Jack. Thirteen Lessons on Grace. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1988 reprint of Being Good Enough Isn't Good Enough (Standard, 1976).
Cottrell, Jack. What the Bible Says About God the Redeemer. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1987. Aspects of the divine nature that are relevant for understanding grace.
Croom, Adlai S. Man's Salvation by God's Grace. Searcy, AR: author, 1973. Churches of Christ (noninstrument).
Fudge, Edward. The Grace of God. Athens, AL: C.E.I., 1971. An excellent booklet by a churches of Christ (noninstrument) writer.
Fudge, Edward. Questions and Answers. DeFuniak Springs, FL: Diversity Press, 1998. Includes material on grace.
Jones, Milton. Grace, the Heart of the Fire. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1992. Popularlevel work.
Ketcherside, W. Carl. The Death of the Custodian: The Case of the Missing Tutor. Cincinnati: Standard, 1976. This writer has a good understanding of grace as such but a poor understanding of its implications for daily obedience.
Lucado, Max. In the Grip of Grace. Waco: Word, 1996.
Moser, K. C. The Gist of Romans. Delight, AR: Gospel Light, 1958. This study of Romans by a churches of Christ (noninstrument) writer has good insights into grace. See the introduction especially.
Moser, K. C. The Way of Salvation. Delight, AR: Gospel Light, 1932. One of the best Restoration Movement treatments of grace.
Mouton, Boyce. The Schoolmaster: A Study of Law and Grace. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1985.
Pile, William. What the Bible Says About Grace. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1990. A good study.
Roberts, Tom, et al. NeoCalvinism in the Church of Christ. Fairmount, IN: Cogdill Foundation, 1980. Attacks the graceunity movement in the churches of Christ (noninstrument).
Stroop, J. Ridley. The Gospel Context. Nashville: David Lipscomb College, 1967. Churches of Christ (noninstrument).
Thomas, J. D. The Biblical Doctrine of Grace. Abilene: Biblical Research Press, 1977. Churches of Christ (noninstrument).
- Roman Catholic View
Aune, David E., ed. Rereading Paul Together: Protestant an Catholic Perspectives on Justification. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006.
Ernst, Cornelius. The Theology of Grace. Butler, WI: Clergy Book Service, 1974.
Fransen, Peter. Divine Grace and Man, rev. ed., tr. Georges DuPont. New York: Desclee, 1962.
Fransen, Peter. The New Life of Grace. New York: Desclee, 1969.
Gleason, Robert W. Grace. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1962.
Journet, Charles. The Meaning of Grace, tr. A. V. Littledale. New York: P. J. Kenedy & Sons, 1960.
Joyce, G. H. The Catholic Doctrine of Grace. Westminster, MD; Newman, 1950.
Liderbach, Daniel. The Theology of Grace and the American Mind: A Representation of Catholic Doctrine. Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, 1983.
McDermott, Brian O. What Are They Saying About the Grace of Christ? Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1984. Survey of Catholic views.
O’Laughlin, Frank. The Future of the Sacrament of Penance. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2009.
Osborne, Kenan B. Reconciliation and Justification: The Sacrament and Its Theology. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist, 1990. PostVatican II revisionist view of the Roman Catholic sacrament of penance.
Pohle, Joseph. Grace, Actual and Habitual: A Dogmatic Treatise, ed. Arthur Preuss. St. Louis: Herder, 1924.
Rondet, Henri. The Grace of Christ. Paramus, NJ: Newman, 1967.
Sproul, R. C. Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995. Contrasts the Biblical and Catholic views.
Sullivan, Francis A. Salvation Outside the Church? Tracing the History of the Catholic Response. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist, 1992. Catholic perspectives on the question of the salvation of the unevangelized.
Vanhuysse, T. The Gift of Grace: Roman Catholic Teaching in the Light of the Bible. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1993. A Protestant critique.
II. THE ATONEMENT
Baker, Mark D., ed. Recovering the Scandal of the Cross: Atonement in the New Testament and Contemporary Contexts. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006; second edition, 2011.
Beilby, James; & Paul R. Eddy, eds. The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views. Downers Grove: IVP, 2006.
Hill, Charles E., et al., eds. The Glory of the Atonement: Biblical, Historical, & Practical Perspectives: Essays in Honor of Roger R. Nicole. Downers Grove: IVP, 2004.
Jeffery, Steve; Michael Ovey; & Andrew Sach. Pierced for Our Transgressions: Rediscovering the Glory of Penal Substitution. Wheaton: Crossway, 2007. Responses to contemporary criticisms of the doctrine.
Jersak, Brad; and Michael Hardin, eds. Stricken by God? Nonviolent Identification and the Victory of Christ. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007. Contemporary pacifistic reinterpretation of the atonement; a fad.
McKnight, Scot. Jesus and His Death: Historiography, the Historical Jesus, and Atonement Theory. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2005.
Morris, Leon. The Atonement: Its Meaning and Significance. Downers Grove: IVP, 1984. A simplified version of the following. One of the best.
Morris, Leon. The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross. Third revised ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984. The best.
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Packer, J. I.; & Mark Dever. In My Place Condemned He Stood: Celebrating the Glory of the Atonement. Wheaton: Crossway, 2008.
Stott, John R. W. The Cross of Christ. 20th Anniversary ed. Downers Grove: IVP, 2006. One of the best.
Tidball, Derek, et al., eds. The Atonement Debate: Papers from the London Symposium on the Theology of Atonement. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008. The penal substitution view and its challengers.
Weaver, J. Denny. The Nonviolent Atonement. 2 ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011. Rejects the view that the purpose of the cross was to satisfy the wrath of God in our place (propitiation, substitutionary atonement.)
III. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Anderson, H. G., et al., eds. Justification by Faith: Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue, VII. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1985.